FDA to Centralize Administrative Functions, Generalize Inspectors
According to a notice published in the Federal Register on July 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to centralize and enhance key functions across the agency, with the intent of “reducing redundancies, improving efficiency, and advancing alignment.”
The notice formalizes proposed reorganization plans that surfaced in April 2025 amid the federal government-wide reductions in force (RIFs) and the mass overhaul of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that occurred shortly after President Trump took office, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
An internal agency announcement reviewed by NOTUS calls this reorganization “Simple Reform.” The changes have been approved by the Trump Administration and will go into effect on October 1, 2026.
Individual centers will no longer be responsible for their own administrative functions, such as human resources, finance, and information technology. Instead, the FDA Office of Operations will take on these duties under a “shared service” model.
Notably, product review functions will also be centralized. Specialized field inspectors who oversee specific product categories will now operate as generalists, conducting inspections and investigations across multiple industries.
Per the internal announcement, the reorganization will not drastically change the roles and responsibilities of the agency’s centers, nor will it directly result in layoffs.
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