Inside STAT: How far should a little-known FDA office go to track down counterfeit drugs?

(MIKE REDDY FOR STAT)

There’s a little-known office of the FDA that’s staffed by 300 gun-toting officers: the Office of Criminal Investigations, which is responsible for investigating counterfeit medicines, drug diversion, and a wide range of other crimes involving products regulated by the FDA. But recently, debate about OIC’s role has intensified. In interviews with STAT, eight former FDA officials and agents said there’s more uncertainty than ever about the office’s mission. There hasn’t been a permanent leader in two years. Some lawmakers are pressing to scale back the unit’s law enforcement role, while others want to make it a pillar in the federal response to the opioid crisis. STAT’s Nicholas Florko has a fascinating story on the unit’s work and its future. Read here.