Trump Ousts FDA Chief Marty Makary, Opening 3rd Top Health Vacancy
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 12
Trump Ousts FDA Chief Marty Makary, Opening 3rd Top Health Vacancy
25 articles · Updated · CNN · May 12
Marty Makary is leaving the FDA after Trump approved a plan to fire him last week, with Kyle Diamantas expected to take over as acting commissioner.
Flavored e-cigarettes became the breaking point: Makary resisted approving youth-appealing vape products, Trump confronted him directly, and the FDA reversed course last week.
Pressure had also built over agency turmoil, senior-staff turnover and complaints from drug-industry allies and anti-abortion groups, including demands to tighten rules on mailed mifepristone.
The exit leaves HHS without permanent leaders at the FDA, CDC and surgeon general posts, adding another Senate-confirmed vacancy ahead of the midterms.
With public trust falling, can new leadership fix the FDA's internal chaos and restore faith in its scientific judgment?
Will the FDA's leadership change end the regulatory uncertainty that has delayed new medicines and shaken the biopharma industry?