FDA boots shady doc forever: Felonies end Rahim Shafa's drug career
Published Date: 8/31/2026
Notice
Summary
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is denying a request for a hearing submitted by Rahim Shafa (Dr. Shafa) and is issuing an order under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) permanently debarring Dr. Shafa from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application and debarring Dr. Shafa for 20 years from importing or offering for import any drug into the United States. FDA bases this order on the findings that Dr. Shafa was convicted of multiple felonies under Federal law that relate to the regulation of any drug product under the FD&C Act and the importation into the United States of any drug or controlled substance under the FD&C Act. FDA provided notice to Dr. Shafa of the proposed debarment and an opportunity to request a hearing. Dr. Shafa submitted a request for a hearing but failed to file with the Agency information and analyses sufficient to create a basis for a hearing.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
20-year ban on importing drugs
FDA debarred Rahim Shafa for 20 years from importing or offering for import any drug into the United States, effective August 31, 2026. Under section 301(cc) of the FD&C Act, importing or offering for import any drug by, with the assistance of, or at the direction of Dr. Shafa is a prohibited act during that period.
Permanent ban from drug-application work
The FDA permanently debarred Rahim Shafa from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug product application, effective August 31, 2026. Any person with an approved or pending drug product application who knowingly uses his services during the debarment period will be subject to civil money penalties under section 307(a)(6) of the FD&C Act, and Dr. Shafa himself may face penalties under section 307(a)(7).
FDA will not accept ANDAs involving him
During his period of debarment the FDA will not accept or review any abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) submitted by or with the assistance of Rahim Shafa, effective August 31, 2026. Companies attempting to rely on his assistance for ANDA submissions will be unable to have those applications accepted or reviewed by FDA.
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.
2026-17676, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Registration of Human Drug Compounding Outsourcing Facilities Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and Associated Fees
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information collection pertaining to the registration of human drug compounding outsourcing facilities under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and associated fees.
2026-17601, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Reporting Associated With Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fees
The FDA is asking for feedback on their plan to keep collecting info about fees for animal drug companies. This affects businesses that make or test animal drugs, helping the FDA manage fees through 2028. Comments are due by September 28, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up if you’re involved!
2026-17598, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Focus Groups and Interviews as Used by the Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the generic collection of focus group information as used by FDA for all FDA-regulated products.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17658, Notice of Determinations; Culturally Significant Objects Being Imported for Exhibition-Determinations: “A Light in the Dark: Joseph Wright of Derby” Exhibition
Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: I hereby determine that certain objects being imported from abroad pursuant to agreements with their foreign owners or custodians for temporary display in the exhibition "A Light in the Dark: Joseph Wright of Derby" at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center, Los Angeles, California, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, are of cultural significance, and, further, that their temporary exhibition or display within the United States as aforementioned is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these determinations be published in the Federal Register.
Next: 2026-17662, Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Options Regulatory Fee (“ORF”)