FDA changes its work-from-home policy during a staffing problem.

The FDA is changing its policy on working from home. This comes after worries about losing workers and their important work. Some workers can now work from home at least two days a week. This includes people who review drugs, vaccines, and other products.

This change happened because of problems with the government's plan for health workers. There were firings, rehiring, and more layoffs. When workers came back to the office, it was too crowded. Some supplies were also missing or broken.

A government official said the FDA is going back to how things were before COVID. Workers' progress will be watched closely. The FDA started letting people work from home a long time ago. It helped them hire good workers who could earn more money elsewhere.

Many offices that focused on FDA rules were cut. Important people in charge of drugs and vaccines also left. The FDA gets money from companies to help pay for its work. If the FDA loses too much money, companies might not have to pay.

The FDA and companies need to agree on how they will pay for things in the future. One expert says it is important for them to agree. The new FDA leader, Dr. Makary, is trying to fix things by letting people work from home. This may help workers be more productive.