Are Bigger Ad Policy Changes Coming After US FDA’s Drug Promotion Office Hit Hard By Layoffs?

The loss of policy analyst, legal, project manager and social scientist positions has experts wondering if the Trump Administration is eyeing a broader effort to limit DTC advertising. The OPDP layoffs are expected to result in delayed reviews of promotional pieces.

Delayed sign
Advisory comments on promotional material submissions may be delayed by the personnel cuts in OPDP. (Shutterstock)
Key Takeaways
  • Policy analysts, regulatory lawyers, project managers and social scientists who worked at the FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion were laid off during the 1 April reduction-in-force.
  • The cuts are expected to lead to longer timelines for advertising review and advisory comments.
  • Experts questioned whether broader policies prohibiting DTC ads are on the horizon.

Layoffs at the US Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion may lead to longer promotional material review timelines and could presage a broader move to limit direct-to-consumer...

Sixteen of approximately 70 positions at OPDP were eliminated during the 1 April reduction-in-force, sources said. The cuts are among about 3,500 FDA positions targeted....

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