Food and Drug Administration: Insufficient Planning for Field Laboratory Consolidation Decisions
HRD-88-21
Published: Dec 04, 1987. Publicly Released: Jan 05, 1988.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) plans to close or consolidate its field laboratories, particularly the: (1) criteria it used to determine which of its laboratories to close or merge; (2) cost-effectiveness of the closings; and (3) impact of the closings on FDA ability to carry out its functions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
---|---|---|
Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner, FDA, to defer decisions regarding laboratory closure/consolidation until FDA has developed a long-range plan based on its future program needs. This plan should identify the extent to which vacant work stations may be in excess of current and future laboratory needs. If a significant amount of unused and unneeded laboratory capacity is identified, the Secretary should direct the Commissioner to explore the full range of alternatives available to deal with the problem. |
Closed – Not Implemented
FDA dropped its plan to close laboratories. If laboratory closings are considered in the future, the recommendation would be valid.
|
Department of Health and Human Services | In considering the closure/consolidation option, the Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner, FDA, to identify the laboratories for closure/consolidation by evaluating all appropriate factors, including forecasts of future analytical needs, to ensure that the resulting laboratory network can support the FDA consumer protection mandate in a timely, cost-effective manner. |
Closed – Not Implemented
FDA dropped its plan to close laboratories. If laboratory closings are considered in the future, the recommendation would be valid.
|
Department of Health and Human Services | In considering the closure/consolidation, the Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner, FDA, to develop accurate and comprehensive costs/savings analyses detailing the economic consequences of closures decisions. |
Closed – Not Implemented
FDA dropped its plan to close laboratories. If laboratory closings are considered in the future, the recommendation would be valid.
|
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