Canadians could lose vital safety information amid deep cuts to the U.S. FDA, experts warn – CTV
April 13, 2025
Canadian health experts warn the fallout from thousands of job cuts at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on April 1 could disrupt the flow of safety information on drugs, medical devices, and food to Canada.
For years, Canadian agencies responsible for monitoring food and pharmaceutical safety have worked closely with regulators around the world. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) vast resources and global influence have played a role in informing decisions in Canada on issues such as safety warnings and recalls of dangerous foods and drugs from the market.
However, sweeping changes to the FDA since U.S. President Donald Trump took office could impact the benefits Canada derives from this historic collaboration, reducing the quality and availability of information about harmful drugs and food products—potentially allowing serious health risks to go undetected and products to remain on the market longer.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), now headed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., laid off 10,000 workers as part of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency task force. The department plans to cut 3,500 jobs directly from the FDA.
