FDA cuts education and training division, laying off over 30 employees, may impact public health protection.

From CNBC: 2025-04-08 17:02:00

The Food and Drug Administration has cut the Division of Learning and Organizational Development, laying off more than 30 employees. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to slash 10,000 jobs at HHS, including roughly 3,500 full-time FDA employees, to streamline operations. Some key roles in public health protection, like overseeing bird flu response, may be affected.

HHS says the cuts won’t impact inspectors or drug reviewers but will target workers with unnecessary responsibilities. Reports suggest that the Trump administration is eliminating some employees crucial for public health protection. Kennedy mentioned that some programs and personnel may be reinstated, but it’s uncertain if DLOD employees are included. The FDA has not commented.

The division is canceling all activities, including education on opioids, infectious diseases, and regulatory practices. No staff is available to award credits for educational activities. Health-care professionals rely on these credits to maintain their credentials. Losing DLOD creates uncertainty in professional development and training processes for FDA employees.

The division was funded by user fees, not taxpayer dollars. The Trump administration cited federal cost savings as a reason for layoffs, despite the division’s unique accreditation for providing training across various health-care disciplines. The office included six workers, all of whom will lose their jobs.



Read more at CNBC: FDA guts education, training division as part of RFK Jr.’s cuts