THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) issued a show-cause order to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official for sitting on over 600 drug applications by pharmaceutical companies who have complied with its requirements.

In a statement on Tuesday, ARTA said the order sent by its Investigation Enforcement and Litigation Director Jedrek Ng, directs FDA Center for Drug Regulation and Research (CDRR) Director 4 Jesusa Cirunay to “explain why no administrative or criminal case should be filed” against her.