In a surprising move, the FDA's drug center is calling upon its remaining employees to step up and volunteer for crucial roles following significant layoffs that have shaken the agency. An internal email obtained by Bloomberg Law reveals that the FDA urgently needs help with contract and acquisition requests after a wave of job cuts due to workforce reductions.

This outreach is specifically aimed at drug reviewers within the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, who are being asked to lend their expertise as active contracting officer representatives. The goal? To effectively manage the influx of contracting and acquisition requests that are critical to the FDA's operations.

The roles of contracting officer representatives are vital; they ensure that drug reviewers have the necessary resources, oversee the timely setup of services, manage the invoicing process, and verify that deliverables meet contract standards.

These staffing challenges come in the wake of the US Department of Health and Human Services' aggressive layoff strategy implemented on April 1. This strategy swept through federal health agencies, targeting around 3,500 positions at the FDA alone. Many of those affected were in key administrative roles, including program management, human resources, and communications, which are essential for the smooth functioning of the agency.

In addition to these cuts, the ombuds office at CDER, tasked with addressing conflicts between reviewers and the pharmaceutical industry, also faced reductions.

The FDA has urged staff interested in assisting with contracts and acquisitions to respond by the end of Thursday, leaving many wondering how well-prepared the remaining workforce is for this unexpected responsibility.

As the health department struggles to maintain efficiency and oversight amid these drastic shifts, the focus now turns to whether the FDA can adapt and thrive under mounting pressure. Will the remaining staff rise to the occasion, or will the fallout from these layoffs have lasting effects on public health?