FDA to Start Filing Criminal Charges

Indicators suggest that the FDA is intent on using its authority to file criminal charges against executives at companies that seem to be flouting the FDA's rules. According to an article on CNNMoney.com, the agency seems poised to return to its more aggressive past, such as in 1939 when the agency brought more than 600 criminal prosecutions against companies and executives.

Do not be surprised to see the Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) at FDA bring criminal charges against executives at companies with quality problems, significant recalls that are due to negligence, and those that ignore FDA Warning Letters. The last couple of decades of a docile FDA appear to be reaching their end, and execs in all FDA-regulated industries would be wise to pay attention. Click here to read the article on CCNMoney.com.

So, if you are adulterating products, making false or illegal claims, or failing to comply with the laws that apply to your class of goods, be prepared for a significant change in how the agency behaves. In the end, if the agency focuses this new (or old) aggressiveness on the people who are knowingly ignoring the law and endangering consumers, it will be a good thing.