Federal probe of FDA's treatment of whistleblowers widens

Investigators say they are broadening their efforts because of "new and troubling allegations."

Modern Healthcare: Investigators Widen Probe Of FDA Actions Regarding Whistle-Blowers
An independent federal investigative agency broadened the scope of an investigation into Food and Drug Administration mistreatment of employee whistle-blowers. The Office of Special Counsel expanded an existing investigation into FDA surveillance of e-mails of its employees in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health based on "new and troubling allegations" (Daly, 2/15).

The Hill: Federal Investigators Probe Drug Agency's Crackdown On Whistleblowers
(The U.S. Office of Special Counsel) said in a release that it has "received new and troubling allegations of retaliatory surveillance of OSC communications and other acts of retaliation against the whistleblowers, including FDA attempts to initiate criminal prosecution of the whistleblowers" (Pecquet, 2/15).

Meanwhile, a key House Republican warns FDA officials that he might not support additional user fees.

CQ HealthBeat: Barton Balks At Device User Fee Increase, Citing FDA Performance
House Republicans on Wednesday challenged the Food and Drug Administration's progress in shortening device approval times, with a least one lawmaker suggesting he would not support additional user fees for the agency given its track record. "Don't ask this member to rubber-stamp a doubling of the user fee when we have the program performance, or lack thereof, at this FDA," Energy and Commerce Republican Joe Barton of Texas said at a Health Subcommittee hearing on the reauthorization of the agency's user fees (Bristol, 2/15).