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# FDA Trying to Rehire 300 Staff Recently Fired
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-trying-to-rehire-300-staff-recently-fired/
- Published: 2025-02-24T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T14:53:47.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5158707

In a move that is attempting to reverse some of the damage to public health safety and regulatory reviews of innovative products, FDA is rehiring up to 300 scientists and reviewers, which is less than a third of about 1,000 agency staff that were terminated last week as part of the Trump Administration’s cost-cutting efforts. At least 11 former CDRH employees have received calls since Friday saying they could return to work on Monday, according to eight FDA sources who spoke to [Reuters](https://www.aol.com/news/exclusive-us-fda-asks-fired-191844000.html?ref=fdaweb.com). Some of the sought rehires had been working on a brain implant application from Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, sources told Reuters. Musk is leading the administration’s efforts to cut costs and reportedly signed off on the FDA terminations initially. Several FDAers who received the rehire calls said they were not sure if they wanted to return, although three said they would, according to Reuters.

The recent government firings have been met with many questions and concerns. AdvaMed CEO **Scott Whitaker**, who was critical of the firings, told Reuters that Americans need “an efficient, effective FDA review process that helps advance the medical technologies American patients depend on. Bringing these specific experts back would help fulfill that mission.”

On 2/21, the entire Senate Democratic caucus sent a [letter](https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-colleagues-sound-the-alarm-on-threats-to-americans-health-and-safety-following-trump-purges/?ref=fdaweb.com) demanding answers from HHS secretary **Robert F. Kennedy Jr.** about the firing of more than 5,000 HHS workers which they said was undermining Americans’ health and safety. The senators wrote that they are worried the staff cuts will lock the development of new treatments and cures*.* “FDA and NIH nonpartisan staff research and develop life-saving treatments,” they wrote. “Firing them may delay medical breakthroughs and will weaken America’s biomedical science leadership for years to come.”

In addition, advocacy group No Patient Left Behind posted an [open letter](https://www.nopatientleftbehind.org/open-letter-fda-budget-cuts?ref=fdaweb.com#letter) to the administration that was signed by biopharma innovators, investor and patient advocates. The letter expressed concerns with FDA cuts that “will threaten and delay the approval of new medicines, diagnostics and devices, jeopardize the safety of our food supply and animal products (medicines and feed), leave us ill-prepared to address emerging health issues, and risk the safety and quality of everyday products like cosmetics, dietary supplements and over-the-counter medicines.”

The letter says many of those fired reviewed first-in-class new drugs and devices, address product shortages, and coordinate responses to pandemics. “Small drug companies that represent more than 70% of Phase 3 clinical trials are particularly reliant on FDA’s experienced and highly specialized personnel,” it says. “We urge your Administration to look at ways to retain and expand FDA’s capabilities as they are not easily replaced.”

The rehiring is the latest turmoil in an ongoing staff upheaval that is taking its toll on FDA morale. CBER deputy director **Celia M. Witten** has recently left the agency ([see story](https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-staff-exodus-deepens-as-cber-deputy-witten-quits/)). She joins CDER director **Patrizia Cavazzoni**, who unexpectedly announced her early retirement effective two days before the new administration took over. Adding vast loss of institutional memory to the current upheaval, CDER senior advisor for clinical science **Bob Temple** retired effective 12/31 after 52 years at the Center ([see story](https://www.fdaweb.com/temple-retires-bumpus-leaves-fda/)). And CDER deputy director for regulatory programs **Doug Throckmorton** also retired last month ([see earlier story](https://www.fdaweb.com/cder-deputy-throckmorton-retiring-in-january/)) after 27 years at FDA.