STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about former FDA head calling DOGE a ‘disaster,’ an AstraZeneca AI deal, and more

Three former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioners have harshly criticized the Trump administration, calling their staff reductions and departure a "disaster." Robert Califf, who served as FDA commissioner under Presidents Obama and Biden, declared that DOGE would go down as one of the biggest disasters in American history.

The DOGE cuts, which saw the departure of 3,500 workers, were followed by an even larger staff exodus under former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who resigned in May. The Trump administration has delayed a federal rule by 90 days, which could prevent Americans from obtaining prescription drugs from licensed international pharmacies.

This delay comes after patient advocacy groups and numerous congressional lawmakers urged the administration to reconsider the rule, fearing it would drastically reduce the flow of medicines from Canada and other countries. Patient groups and lawmakers have called on the administration to reconsider its approach, as the rule aimed to curb illegal goods, particularly opioids, entering the U.S. through low-value foreign shipments.