FDA Security Rules: Employment Restrictions to Protect Medicine and Device Safety
This Act establishes strict employment rules at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to shield the drug and medical device approval process from foreign influence. Citizens can expect these changes to enhance the safety and integrity of medical products available on the market. The new rules restrict the hiring of individuals connected to China, Russia, or Iran and impose a 10-year post-employment work ban related to those countries.
Key points
Nationals of China, Russia, or Iran are ineligible for employment or paid services at the FDA.
FDA employees must report if immediate family members (parents, siblings, children) are nationals of these countries; failure to report results in immediate termination.
A 10-year ban is imposed on former FDA employees working for entities based in China, Russia, or Iran.
Employees with family or prior work ties to these countries face limitations on accessing sensitive drug and device data within the FDA.
Introduced
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_2986
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Process start date: 2025-10-08