The news: The FDA is shelving a program that promised to slash drug review times, per Reuters, citing six sources. The Commissioner’s National Priority Review Voucher (CNPRV) has not awarded any new vouchers since former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned under pressure in May, and its oversight council is now dormant. FDA leaders told participating companies the program is not moving forward, although reviews of applications already submitted will continue, per Reuters.

Why it matters: Ending the program would eliminate one of the fastest routes to FDA review and extend drug launch timelines for drugmakers that had hoped to qualify. The FDA awarded 22 CNPRVs and 12 drugs won approval under the program, including Eli Lilly's obesity pill Foundayo. The agency approved Foundayo in April, just 50 days after Lilly submitted its application and months ahead of its original January 2027 review deadline.

Drugmakers still have other options for expedited review, including traditional priority review vouchers (PRVs), which allow companies to request a six-month review instead of the standard 10-month timeline. Companies can earn those vouchers through qualifying drug development programs or buy them from other manufacturers. Nine PRV deals in 2026 to date averaged $197 million, per Arca, showing how much companies are willing to pay to accelerate reviews.

Implications for pharma marketers: Drugmakers that were counting on unusually fast CNPRV reviews may need to adjust launch timelines, marketing budgets, and promotional plans. But a return to more established FDA review pathways also reduces the risk of a rival gaining an unexpected head start through the special program. That should make it easier for marketers to anticipate competing drug launches and plan their own launches and commercial strategies.

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