Field labs saved from ORA ax
This article was originally published in The Silver Sheet
Executive Summary
FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) is backing off plans to close seven field labs as part of an ongoing reorganization. Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Margaret O'K. Glavin sent ORA staff an e-mail Aug. 17 that said she was "canceling plans for the rollout of all changes in our organizational structure." However, she said this move would provide "additional time" to "take a fresh look at the challenges facing" the office. ORA's field labs inspect and analyze devices, food, drugs, animal medications and feeds, and other health products. The decision to call off the closure of seven of the office's 13 field labs was first indicated in an Aug. 1 e-mail to staff