FDA drug approval affects healthcare around the world, but political shortcuts could hurt the agency’s international reputation Published: July 15, 2026 1.09pm BST

https://theconversation.com/fda-drug-approval-affects-healthcare-around-the-world-but-political-shortcuts-could-hurt-the-agencys-international-reputation-287028?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=b6aaf3e0d1-nature-briefing-daily-20260715&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-33f35e09ea-50432164 Many countries can’t maintain their own regulatory drug approval processes, and so rely on reviews from others — especially the US Food and Drug Administration. “Since the 1980s, this model has been a win-win proposition for the countries, their citizens and the pharmaceutical companies,” writes pharmacy-practice researcher C. Michael White. However, changes under the administration of US President Donald Trump, such as staff cuts and a new programme that offers accelerated approval to some drugs, “could hurt international confidence in [the FDA’s] objectivity and rigor”, White argues.