FDA Could Issue Layoff Notices Without Prescription Drug User Fee Act Reauthorization

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 19 Sep 2007 - 4:00 PDT

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FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach on Friday in a memo said 2,000 agency employees might receive layoff notices as early as the end of this week in the event that lawmakers do not finalize a bill (HR 2900 and S 1082) to reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, which expires on Sept. 30, the Washington Post reports.

In the memo, von Eschenbach said that he expected lawmakers to finalize the legislation but added that he sought to make them aware of the potential layoffs, which would take effect 60 days after the issue of the notices. He wrote, "All parties fully understand the importance of meeting the ... deadline (to renew the fees) because no one underestimates or fails to appreciate the disruption and demoralizing impact that even the threat" of layoffs has on workers and their families (Washington Post, 9/15).

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