Republican and Democratic members on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are questioning the effectiveness of the FDA’s criminal investigators at blocking illegal drugs at U.S. ports of entry.
In a letter to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, lawmakers expressed concerns over whether or not the agency is appropriately using resources in order to prioritize the seizure of illegal opioids.
During interviews with Reuters, some federal agents complained the FDA was not pursuing cases involving dangerous opioids and drugs such as Kratom, despite the growing public health epidemic.
The committee is asking the FDA to provide statistical data about the cases being generated through the port of entry initiative and its prosecution track record. A spokeswoman for the agency confirmed the FDA had received the letter and plans to respond.