Trump considers removing FDA commissioner amid criticism
President Donald Trump has signed off on a plan to oust US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, according to a senior administration official, reports BritPanorama.
The decision follows mounting criticism from both Trump aides and external allies over Makary’s management of the health agency, controversial drug approval decisions, and his handling of an effort to further limit access to the abortion pill mifepristone.
Although Trump has not yet formally dismissed Makary, the official and others familiar with the situation warned that the president could always change his mind.
Notably, senior White House staffers are scheduled to meet with anti-abortion activists Friday evening, who have sharply criticized both Makary and Trump personally over a perceived lack of action on restricting mifepristone.
In recent weeks, Trump and other aides have increasingly discussed the prospect of removing Makary, including surveying outside allies about his job performance and fielding complaints about the agency from pharmaceutical industry officials and anti-abortion groups.
Spokespeople for the White House and the US Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plan to remove Makary.
Should Trump proceed with firing Makary, it would lead to yet another vacancy at the top ranks of the health department with just months remaining until the midterm elections.
The department already lacks a permanent director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a permanent surgeon general. The FDA also has no top vaccine regulator following the recent departure of Vinay Prasad, a close Makary ally who faced separate criticism over his leadership and vaccine policy decisions.
