STAT+: Pharmalittle: We're reading about FDA morale, pharma removing DEI goals, and more

And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is still shaping up, but we do plan to promenade with our official mascots, catch up on our expanding reading list, and curl up in front of the telly. We also hope to hold another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this, and this. And what about you? This may be an opportunity to visit an inviting restaurant, take in a moving picture show, or plan a spring break. Perhaps a news blackout is in order or you could reach out to someone special. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you on Tuesday, since there is an extended holiday weekend on this side of the pond. …

Reports of impending layoffs, a buyout offer to federal workers, and a return to office mandate have put a damper on morale among staff at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to Regulatory Focus. Agency staff remain concerned about meeting user fee review goals and completing essential tasks, but some are anxious about losing their jobs and have begun looking for opportunities in the private sector. Another issue is a lack of parking spaces at FDA’s White Oak campus to accommodate all of the employees who are being told to come back to the office. Agency employees were told last week they would need to start working from FDA headquarters beginning March 17, while managers were told to return to the office five days a week if they live within 50 miles of their headquarters or duty stations starting Feb. 28. 

Genentech removed diversity and inclusion targets from its website, the latest in a series of publicly traded companies to bow to U.S. President Trump’s push against equal opportunity programs, Bloomberg News writes. The Roche unit had aimed by this year to double Black and Hispanic representation of directors and officers and extended leadership, among a range of commitments listed in reports and on a version of its diversity website archived by the Wayback Machine. The company also pledged to craft inclusive research action plans for all medicines in development and require commitments from suppliers with requests for proposals of $500,000 and more, according to the web scrapes.  As of Thursday, the link to its diversity and inclusion report led to a page that said it was under construction. 

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