FDA enforcement actions plummet under Trump

From monitoring clinical trials and approving new medicines and vaccines, to ensuring the safety of blood transfusions, medical devices, groceries, and more, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is one of the nation9s most vital watchdogs. By several key measures, however, FDA9s compliance and enforcement actions have plummeted since President Donald Trump took office, a Science investigation has found. The Silver Spring, Maryland–based agency9s "warning letters"—a primary tool for keeping dangerous or ineffective drugs and devices and tainted foods off the market—have fallen by one-third, for example. FDA watchers say they can9t pinpoint what9s driving the decline, but they are alarmed.