President-elect Donald Trump has a new candidate for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Dr. Marty Makary. Makary, from Johns Hopkins University, is no stranger to controversy. He’s known for his views against some COVID-19 health measures, like vaccine mandates. His nomination comes as part of Trump's plan to shake up the U. S. health system, which he thinks is "broken. " Makary has spoken out against overprescribing drugs, the use of pesticides on foods, and the influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies. His appointment needs Senate confirmation.

The FDA, with 18, 000 employees, is a big deal. It's in charge of everything from prescription drugs to vaping products, affecting about 20% of U. S. consumer spending yearly. Makary’s views on the pandemic have been hot topics on conservative outlets like Fox News. He’s questioned the need for masking and expressed concerns about vaccinating young kids. Meanwhile, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows vaccinations saved thousands of lives.

Makary, a surgeon and cancer specialist, has pushed for herd immunity. In a 2021 article, he wrote that COVID-19 would be "mostly gone by April. " But the delta and omicron variants changed that later in the year. If confirmed, Makary will work under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , an anti-vaccine activist. While Makary doesn't share Kennedy's extreme views, he’s critical of the pharmaceutical industry. He’s spoken about how drugmakers misled doctors about opioids.

The FDA has faced criticism for fast drug approvals that didn't show real benefits. Makary might push for stricter drug safety checks. But that could face challenges, including industry lobbying and funding issues. Other projects started by the outgoing commissioner might also face roadblocks from career staff or legal issues. Experts say the bureaucracy can slow down any controversial initiatives until a new administration takes over.

Trump Picks Dr. Makary for FDA: A New Face, New Approach

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