President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday the nomination of Dr. Marty Makary, a pancreatic surgeon and health policy expert at Johns Hopkins University, to serve as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The appointment, which requires Senate confirmation, has drawn significant attention due to Makary’s controversial views on public health and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Makary, who serves as the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins, has an extensive medical and academic background. He has held leadership roles at the World Health Organization’s Patient Safety Program and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Additionally, he has been associated with the conservative Paragon Health Institute and frequently contributes commentary on Fox News.
As FDA commissioner, Makary would oversee the regulation of drugs, food, medical devices, tobacco products, and cosmetics. His nomination comes as part of a broader health care vision under Trump’s administration, with Makary potentially reporting to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The FDA falls under the purview of HHS, and Makary’s role would be instrumental in implementing the administration’s health care policies, including evaluating chemicals in the food supply and addressing chronic diseases among children.
Makary’s nomination has sparked debate, largely due to his statements during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been a vocal advocate of natural immunity, suggesting it is at least as effective as vaccine-induced immunity, a stance that has been criticized for downplaying the risks of infection. He also predicted that herd immunity would be achieved by April 2021, a claim that did not materialize. Additionally, he has faced scrutiny for his assertion that myocarditis is more common following COVID-19 vaccination than infection, a claim refuted by multiple studies.
Makary has also been critical of federal COVID-19 policies, including recommendations for booster shots for younger populations, and has argued that such measures were unnecessary for low-risk groups. Some of his views, initially dismissed by much of the medical community, have gained traction over time.
His potential leadership under Kennedy, a figure with a history of promoting anti-vaccine rhetoric, has further fueled criticism. Kennedy’s selection for HHS has already faced backlash from public health experts concerned about the direction of federal health agencies under the incoming administration.
If confirmed, Makary would replace Dr. Robert Califf, the current FDA commissioner and a cardiologist who has served under both President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama. Trump previously appointed two FDA commissioners during his first term: Dr. Scott Gottlieb and Dr. Stephen Hahn.
The nomination signals a shift in the leadership and direction of the FDA, with significant implications for U.S. public health policy in the years ahead.
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