President Trump reportedly approves plan to oust FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
Multiple outlets confirm the reported move follows a contentious year for the commissioner, who faced pressure regarding flavored vape products and conflicts with administration priorities
President Trump has reportedly signed off on a plan to remove Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, though sources close to the matter caution that the decision is not yet final and could change. Multiple media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, and Politico, have confirmed reports from inside sources regarding the planned ouster. The administration has not yet determined who will serve as acting director upon Makary's potential departure.
The reported move follows a tumultuous year for Makary, characterised by turmoil and controversy within the FDA. Issues ranging from regulatory delays on vape products to conflicts with administration goals have defined his tenure. Specifically, President Trump reportedly scolded Makary over the weekend for not moving quickly enough to approve flavored vapes and nicotine products. Administration officials described Makary as an obstacle to the president's campaign promise to "save vaping".
The friction centred on Makary's decision to withhold approval for menthol, mango, and blueberry vape flavours from the Los Angeles manufacturer Glas due to concerns that the specific tastes could entice youth. Following pressure from the White House, the FDA authorised these vapes on Tuesday. This decision highlights the tension between the commissioner's regulatory caution and the administration's push to remove barriers for nicotine products.
Beyond the vaping dispute, administration officials and the pharmaceutical industry have reportedly complained about Makary's management style and his conflicts with other health officials. The Journal noted that top administration leaders have viewed Makary as struggling to manage the agency effectively while engaging in arguments with his counterparts.
If Makary is removed, it would contribute to a growing list of vacancies in US health agencies overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. High-level leaders at the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health have reportedly left in droves under the current administration. The CDC is currently without a director, and there is no surgeon general.
