STAT+: What was lost at the FDA

STAT PlusA STAT Examination What was lost at the FDA A year after DOGE’s cuts, six FDA staffers describe the work they never thought they’d leave By Lizzy LawrenceMay 7, 2026 Lawrence spent hours speaking with six FDA insiders for this story. She closely covers the agency for STAT. Lizzy Lawrence[email protected]Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration.

She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53. Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article WASHINGTON — After defending the Trump administration’s dramatic health cuts as a solution to bureaucratic bloat, the health department’s leaders are beginning to realize that a demoralized, diminished workforce will not help them achieve their goals.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired around 3,500 workers from the Food and Drug Administration last year.

He’s now aiming to hire more than 3,200, including scientific reviewers and investigators. As of late April, the FDA has hired about 350.Advertisement HHS leaders have now acknowledged that earning the trust of and retaining staff is a priority. Spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the FDA is “actively investing in its workforce to ensure continuity of expertise and prevent the loss of critical institutional knowledge.” Marty Makary, the FDA commissioner, has touted the plan in media appearances and town halls over the past few months.

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Subscribe Log In drug development, FDA, HHS, Policy, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Lizzy Lawrence FDA Reporter Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53.

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