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US FDA delays two drug reviews in new voucher program after safety, efficacy concerns
FDA scientists flagged safety issues including adverse events and a patient death, leading to delayed reviews and extended timelines for drugs in the National Priority Voucher program.
On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration delayed review of two drugs in the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher program after safety concerns, including a patient death, were flagged.
Initially framed as a small pilot, the program, launched by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, has expanded from a cap of five drugs to 18 vouchers awarded.
FDA reviewers say the timeline omits the standard 60-day prefiling period and staffers report pressure to skip review steps despite missing data.
That staff turnover has left the FDA drug center with 20% staff loss and its fifth director in the past year, straining review capacity.
The program is intertwined with White House pricing efforts and remains popular there, but former FDA officials declined sign-off amid legal questions about approval authority.