Senate confirms Johns Hopkins surgeon Marty Makary to lead FDA amid turbulence at the agency
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Marty Makary as the new commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a 56-44 vote on March 25, 2025134. Dr. Makary, a surgeon and public health researcher at Johns Hopkins University, has been a vocal critic of the previous administration's COVID-19 policies34.
Key points about Dr. Makary's confirmation and the current state of the FDA:
1. Background and expertise:
- Dr. Makary is a surgeon, public health researcher, and author4
- He previously served in leadership at the World Health Organization (WHO) and was Chief of Islet Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins4
2. Confirmation process:
- The vote was largely along party lines, with all Senate Republicans and three Democrats supporting his confirmation3
- During his confirmation hearing, Dr. Makary distanced himself from recent disruptions at the FDA3
3. Current challenges at the FDA:
- The agency has experienced significant layoffs, with over 1,000 employees let go3
- A Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting was recently canceled3
4. Dr. Makary's priorities:
- He has emphasized addressing food's impact on health as part of the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda4
- Dr. Makary has promised to review the recent layoffs and assess staffing at the agency34
5. Industry reactions:
- Various industry organizations, including the Pet Food Institute and American Feed Industry Association, have congratulated Dr. Makary and expressed willingness to work with him5
As Dr. Makary takes the helm at the FDA, he faces the challenge of navigating the agency through a period of significant change and addressing concerns about staffing, regulatory processes, and public health priorities.
Sources:
1. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-confirms-dr-marty-makary-trumps-fda-chief
3. https://www.biospace.com/policy/senate-confirms-makary-as-fda-chief-as-trumps-health-nominees-move-forward
4. https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10259-dr-marty-makary-confirmed-as-fda-commissioner-says-he-will-review-recent-mass-layoffs-at-agency
5. https://www.petfoodindustry.com/news-newsletters/pet-food-news/news/15741331/senate-confirms-marty-makary-to-lead-fda