The FDA said Thursday it will launch a two-year fellowship program for physicians, chemists, statisticians and other science professionals interested in food and drug regulation. About 30 to 40 fellows will be accepted for the first program, which begins in October. Some of those accepted are expected to stay on as full-time employees after completing the program, which includes course work and seminars.
This is crucial since the average age of the FDA's work force is 54, and about 30 percent of general staffers already are eligible to retire.
That’s why “a strong FDA” is part of the agency’s five year strategic plan.
FDA’s most proprietary and valuable resource comes through the door each morning. There are almost 1,500 people with PhDs at FDA and well over 400 with medical degrees – and that’s without double counting.
An organization that can keep up with the rapid changes in the industries that it regulates, and that is capable of developing and implementing effective and innovative public health measures, requires a very special workforce. The FDA’s mission depends more than ever on a solid cadre of experienced physicians, toxicologists, chemists, statisticians, mathematicians and other highly qualified and dedicated professionals. Their expertise is essential for making regulatory decisions that are balanced and fair and timely -- and for keeping the agency on the cutting edge of the technology and sciences used by industry.
Agency leadership must make it a priority to encourage creativity, efficiency, and superior performance - an environment that attracts and retains top-quality scientists, and enables them to do top-quality work as part of an effective team.
