Drug companies drain scientific brains from FDA

[flashl]

WASHINGTON — When pharmaceutical consulting firm Quintiles wants to hire a new employee, the first place it looks is the Food and Drug Administration.

These former insiders bring critical expertise to the consultant and clients like Merck & Co. and Pfizer, but there is also an unintended downside.

As companies siphon off FDA's most experienced scientists, they leave an increasingly leaner, less confident staff that is hesitant to put new drugs on the market, analysts say.

FDA's staffing pains — exacerbated by the departure of a baby boomers and increasing competition for science graduates — has caught the attention of lawmakers and consumers, who blame declining inspections for a string of problems with tainted food and drugs.

USA Today

This 'government' creates shortages then allege the shortages are related to the departure of baby boomers while increasingly college graduates competes for 'burger manufacturing' jobs.

And, this may also be a 'cover' for the revolving door policy under this admin. Routinely, government workers were replaced with reps. from industry who's first and sometimes only act would be changes to regulations to benefit their respective industry. After changing regulations, these 'government workers' immediately return to their industry positions.

[Celebration]

1. I agree

They are possibly rewarding the "loyal" scientists at the FDA, and leaving the ones that are neutral. Perhaps the strategy is backfiring.