FDA to Speed Reviews With Better Communication and a Hiring Spree

The US Food and Drug Administration is rolling out a new program to speed up drug reviews by emphasizing clearer, more frequent communication with companies, aided by a surge of new hires.

The agency has been running a trial of the program since October with a few select companies, and it’s been going well, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a phone interview. As part of the new effort, companies can submit a question about a review to agency staff, who will aim to respond within three business days, the FDA said in a statement.