FDA Drug, Biologics Centers Continue Workforce Decline
FDA’s two primary medical product review centers continued to experience net workforce losses through the first nine months of fiscal year 2026, although hiring improved during the third quarter, according to newly released agency staffing data.
The data, published by FDA as of 6/30, show that CDER and CBER both remain below their staffing levels at the start of the fiscal year despite an increase in hiring during the most recent quarter.
CDER, the agency's largest product review center, recorded a net loss of 56 employees through the first three quarters of FY2026. The center began the fiscal year with 4,951 employees and had 4,895 on board as of June 30.
The staffing decline reflects 205 external hires and 261 employee departures during the period. While CDER lost 63 employees in the first quarter and another 19 in the second quarter, the Center posted a modest turnaround in the third quarter, adding a net 26 employees after hiring 101 workers and losing 75.
CBER also continued to shrink during the fiscal year. The biologics center reported a net loss of 54 employees through June 30, falling from 1,149 employees at the beginning of FY2026 to 1,095.
CBER hired 39 employees during the first three quarters while 93 departed the center. Quarterly losses narrowed over the course of the year, from a net decline of 27 employees in the first quarter to 21 in the second quarter and six in the third quarter.
FDA said the workforce tables are intended to provide a more comprehensive picture of staffing trends than the quarterly hiring reports required under user fee agreements. Those reports track hiring under the user fee programs but do not capture all staffing activity at the agency's drug and biologics centers.
The staffing figures come as FDA continues to face scrutiny over its ability to recruit and retain scientific reviewers and other personnel following months of workforce reductions and leadership turnover.
Across the board, FDA reportedly is actively hiring 2,200 new staffers to rebuild its workforce following last year's federal cuts. It has already secured about 600 hires in onboarding clearance, leaving over 1,600 additional positions to fill across all divisions. The push arrives as interim leadership at the agency aims to revitalize public health operations, regulatory reviews, and morale. With hundreds of jobs actively available, candidates with backgrounds in biological sciences, public health, medicine, and regulatory affairs are strongly in demand.