The Vape Cloud Hanging Over the FDA
5/12/202621 min
Dr. Marty Makary has resigned as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Makary faced criticism over the FDA’s rejections of rare-disease drugs, the agency’s handling of abortion pills and high-profile departures of key FDA staff. But WSJ’s Liz Essley Whyte reports that it was a battle over flavored vapes that sealed Makary’s fate. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening:
- The Flu Shot Drama at the FDA
- The FDA Boss on the Agency’s MAHA Makeover - How Puff Bar Became the Most Popular Vape for KidsSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJessica Mendoza· Host0:00
[upbeat music] The Food and Drug Administration saw a huge shakeup in leadership today.
Liz Essley Whyte· Guest0:09
Today, the FDA commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, resigned.
Jessica Mendoza· Host0:14
And how big a deal is that?
Liz Essley Whyte· Guest0:17
I think it's a huge deal.
Jessica Mendoza· Host0:20
Our colleague, Liz Esley White, covers health policy.
Liz Essley Whyte· Guest0:23
He had a tumultuous tenure full of intrigue, and palace drama, and politics, and conflict in a way that we haven't really seen with any other FDA commissioner.
Jessica Mendoza· Host0:37
President Trump called Makary, quote, "A terrific guy," but added that he was having some difficulty. [upbeat music] Makary, a surgeon by training, was sworn in as commissioner over a year ago, with promises to usher in a new era at the FDA. He started phasing out artificial food dyes, and cut down on the time it takes for drugs to get FDA approval. But Makary also faced a lot of headwinds throughout his tenure.
Speaker 21:04
Patients, oncologists, and biotech investors have been pressing Commissioner Makary over a string of drug rejections. None more contentious than REPLIMUNE. That's a- He's managed to make a lot of critics in the pharmaceutical industry, who view him as unsympathetic to the cause of rare disease patients.
Marty Makary· Soundbite1:23
Uh, I don't work for REPLIMUNE, I work for the American people, and I stand by the scientists at the FDA.