Acuna Debarred Forever by FDA for Drug Conviction Capers
Published Date: 8/3/2026
Notice
Summary
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is issuing an order under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) permanently debarring Ricardo Andres Acuna from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application. FDA bases this order on a finding that Ricardo Andres Acuna was convicted of a felony under Federal law for conduct relating to the development or approval, including the process for development or approval, of any drug product. Mr. Acuna was given notice of the proposed debarment and an opportunity to request a hearing within the timeframe prescribed by regulation. As of May 6, 2026 (30 days after receipt of the notice), Mr. Acuna has not responded. Mr. Acuna's failure to respond and request a hearing constitutes a waiver of Mr. Acuna's right to a hearing concerning this matter.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Penalties for Hiring Debarred Individual
If you have an approved or pending drug product application and you knowingly employ, retain, or use Ricardo Acuna during his debarment, you will be subject to civil money penalties under section 307(a)(6) of the FD&C Act. The debarment is effective August 3, 2026, and penalties apply for knowing use of his services while debarred.
Permanent Debarment of Ricardo Acuna
Ricardo Andres Acuna was convicted of a federal felony on January 14, 2026 and is permanently debarred from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application. The debarment is effective August 3, 2026. This bans him from working on drug applications or serving as a consultant to drug sponsors while the debarment stands.
ANDA Filings Blocked for Acuna
During his debarment, FDA will not accept or review any abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) from Ricardo Acuna. The restriction applies for the duration of the permanent debarment effective August 3, 2026.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16296, Substances Generally Recognized as Safe
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is proposing to require the submission of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) notices for the use of a human or animal food substance purported to be GRAS under the conditions of its intended use under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
2026-14073, Drug Establishment Registration and Drug Listing Requirements for Establishments Engaged in Distributed Manufacturing and Certain Foreign Establishments
The FDA wants to make it easier for drug makers who work in several locations to register as one company instead of many. They’re also updating rules for foreign drug companies to match new laws about handling health threats. If you’re in drug manufacturing, get ready to comment by September 11, 2026, and keep an eye on possible paperwork changes that could affect your business.
2026-13047, Establishment Registration and Product Listing for Tobacco Products
The FDA wants to make sure all tobacco product makers, both in the U.S. and abroad, register their businesses and list their products. This new rule closes a big gap by including foreign companies, helping the FDA keep better track of tobacco products for public health. Comments on this proposal are open until September 14, 2026, so affected businesses should get ready to update their info and possibly face new costs.
2026-19074, Medical Devices; Exemption From Premarket Notification: Radiology Computer-Aided Detection and/or Diagnosis Devices and Computer-Aided Triage and Notification Devices
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is publishing an order setting forth its final determination regarding a partial exemption from the premarket notification requirements for radiology computer- aided detection and/or diagnosis devices and computer-aided triage and notification devices that was the subject of a notice published in the Federal Register of December 29, 2025. That notice announced FDA's receipt of a petition that requested exemption from the premarket notification requirements for the following generic device types when certain conditions described in the petition were met: radiological computer-assisted diagnostic software for lesions suspicious of cancer; medical image analyzers; radiological computer aided triage and notification software; and radiological computer-assisted detection and diagnosis software. FDA denied the petition in a response issued to the petitioner on April 1, 2026. FDA is publishing this order in accordance with procedures established by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
2026-18946, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Biological Products: Reporting of Biological Product Deviations and Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Product Deviations in Manufacturing
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
2026-18612, Medical Devices; Cardiovascular Devices; Classification of the Cardiovascular Machine Learning-Based Notification Software
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the cardiovascular machine learning-based notification software into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for classification of the cardiovascular machine learning- based notification software. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II will provide a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15635, Angela Anatilde Baquero: Final Debarment Order
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is issuing an order under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) permanently debarring Angela Anatilde Baquero from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application. FDA bases this order on a finding that Angela Anatilde Baquero was convicted of a felony under Federal law for conduct relating to the development or approval, including the process for development or approval, of any drug product. Mrs. Baquero was given notice of the proposed debarment and an opportunity to request a hearing within the timeframe prescribed by regulation. As of May 6, 2026 (30 days after receipt of the notice), Mrs. Baquero has not responded. Mrs. Baquero's failure to respond and request a hearing constitutes a waiver of Mrs. Baquero's right to a hearing concerning this matter.
Next: 2026-15637, Current List of HHS-Certified Laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities Which Meet Minimum Standards To Engage in Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing for Federal Agencies
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides notice of the laboratories and Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) currently certified to meet the standards of the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Mandatory Guidelines) using Urine and the laboratories currently certified to meet the standards of the Mandatory Guidelines using Oral Fluid.