On Nov. 22, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Marty Makary as commissioner for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He would succeed outgoing FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.
Makary is a surgical oncologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He is also a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, a researcher, an author and a medical commentator.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Makary was an early advocate for lockdowns, universal masking and vaccinations, but was critical of other COVID-related decisions from federal health agencies, as reported by NPR.
Several industry professionals and trade associations responded to Makary’s nomination, expressing a cautiously optimistic view for FDA.
Steve Mister, president and CEO of Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN): The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) congratulates Dr. Marty Makary on his nomination as FDA commissioner. CRN looks forward to working with him and his team to advance the agency’s important work in protecting public health. In particular, we are eager to collaborate on ways to find regulatory efficiencies within the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), ensuring it continues to serve consumers effectively in today’s marketplace. At the same time, we welcome opportunities to engage with the FDA on strengthening oversight and maintaining the highest standards for dietary supplements and functional nutrition products. We are optimistic that under Dr. Makary’s leadership, the FDA will foster innovation while maintaining a commitment to safety, transparency, and accountability. CRN stands ready to partner with the FDA to advance policies that benefit consumers and the industry alike.
Scott Melville, president and CEO of Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA): CHPA welcomes the nomination of surgeon, public health researcher, and author Dr. Marty Makary to be the next FDA commissioner. Dr. Makary has strong academic and medical credentials, made extensive contributions to scholarly and professional publications, and has stated his commitment to evidence-based medicine. CHPA specifically hopes this nomination will help further FDA’s mission to protect and promote public health with more evidence-based self-care options for consumers. We look forward to learning more about Dr. Makary’s positions and priorities on OTC drugs, dietary supplements, and OTC medical devices as he proceeds through the confirmation process.
Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG), The Vitamin Professor, chief scientific officer at Nutraland USA, Irvine, CA: I have mixed feelings about this nomination. On one hand, as an outspoken critic of the FDA, Dr. Makary might bring about needed changes to the agency. On the other hand, as a frequent guest on politically conservative news networks, there is a risk that he may put political narratives ahead of science. The reason I raise this concern is that during the COVID-19 pandemic, he argued against various aspects of the FDA’s public health response, and incorrectly predicted that populations would quickly acquire natural immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in defense of his position. In short, I don’t know what to expect, but I hope for the best.
Jim Roza, chief scientific officer at Layn Natural Ingredients, Irvine, CA: President-elect Trump’s nomination of Dr. Marty Makary as the next commissioner of the FDA I believe bodes well for the possibility of removing some of the bureaucratic obstacles that has stymied the FDA from moving more quickly in advancing new scientific research. He’s also an advocate for focusing more on preventive measures that can be taken to prevent the occurrence of disease rather than just their treatment alone. As an esteemed surgical oncologist and author, I think he will hopefully bring some new fresh ideas to a department that has been criticized for been mired in red tape and politics.
Makary would work under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was nominated on Nov. 14 as head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In a statement, Trump said the American people have lost trust in FDA and need someone like Makary to “course-correct and refocus the agency.”
“[Makary] will work under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to, among other things, properly evaluate harmful chemicals poisoning our nation’s food supply and drugs and biologics being given to our nation’s youth, so that we can finally address the childhood chronic disease epidemic,” Trump wrote.
