President-elect Trump has selected Johns Hopkins surgeon Martin “Marty” Makary to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the next commissioner. Makary, known for challenging traditional ideas in the medical field, will be tasked with addressing harmful chemicals and pharmaceuticals to combat childhood chronic illnesses.
Announcing the decision on Truth Social, Trump highlighted Makary’s mission to restore the FDA to a gold standard of scientific research and reduce bureaucratic red tape to ensure Americans receive the medical cures and treatments they deserve. Makary, a close ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is part of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement that aims to improve the nation’s food supply and eliminate corruption in healthcare.
As FDA commissioner, Makary will oversee the regulation of food, drugs, medical devices, and tobacco products. He will work closely with RFK Jr., whose agenda includes potentially loosening regulations on raw milk, scrutinizing vaccine safety data, and eliminating user fees set by Congress for drug and device companies.
RFK Jr. has been known for his anti-vaccine advocacy through the nonprofit Children’s Health Defense. However, both he and Makary have shifted their focus towards transparency and data in the healthcare sector. Makary, in a recent interview with Fox News, expressed concerns about the healthcare industry’s historical inaccuracies, including misinformation on opioids and vaccine mandates.
Makary, a renowned pancreatic surgeon, gained fame for developing “The Surgery Checklist” to reduce surgical errors. In addition to his role at Johns Hopkins, he serves as the chief medical officer of telehealth company Sesame and sits on the board of ophthalmology company Harrow Health.
Throughout his career, Makary has been a vocal critic of flaws in the U.S. healthcare system, advocating for hospital price transparency and pushing for nonprofit hospitals to pay taxes. His stance on COVID-19 measures has been mixed, supporting universal masking and early doses of vaccines while opposing compulsory masking for children and vaccine mandates.
In 2021, Makary criticized the FDA for delays in approving drugs during the pandemic. With RFK Jr.’s promise to challenge FDA career civil servants and advocate for stricter oversight, it remains to be seen how Makary’s approach will align with vaccine skepticism and corruption allegations within the agency.
The confirmation process for Makary and RFK Jr. will require winning over moderate Republicans in the Senate. Given the recent contentious confirmations of HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, the road to approval may be challenging. However, Makary’s background as a doctor and health care researcher could ease his path to confirmation.
