We reported last week about the FDA's decision to halt foreign inspections. As of March 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared it will be suspending domestic inspections as well.
According to a statement, the FDA is adhering to the White House Coronavirus Task Force and cross-government guidance and has directed eligible FDA employees to begin teleworking. Those not included in that group include those who carry out specific lab activities or the monitoring of imported products.
The statement goes on to say, "We will continue to adjust our approach to a number of activities, including facility inspections for all FDA-regulated products such as food, animal feed, drugs, biological products, devices and tobacco. Today, we’re announcing that for the health and well-being of our staff and those who conduct inspections for the agency under contract at the state level, and because of industry concerns about visitors, we have temporarily postponed all domestic routine surveillance facility inspections."
