Marty Makary is out as Trump's Food and Drug Administration head
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Dr. Marty Makary is resigning as head of the FDA after 13 months marked by internal turmoil, leadership upheavals, and political controversies during the Trump administration.
- Makary faced criticism from various Republican-aligned groups, including anti-abortion activists and vaping lobbyists, while struggling to manage the agency’s bureaucracy and maintain staff confidence amid mass departures.
- His deputy, Dr. Vinay Prasad, was pushed out twice due to conflicts with specialty drugmakers and patient groups, and Makary’s efforts to streamline drug reviews were overshadowed by internal disputes and regulatory inconsistencies.
- The FDA under Makary saw controversial vaccine policies and leadership instability, including rapid turnover in the drug center’s directorship, raising questions about the future of his reform initiatives.
- Kyle Diamantas, the FDA’s chief for foods with ties to Donald Trump Jr., is expected to serve as acting commissioner until a permanent replacement is nominated and confirmed.