5 Takeaways From FDA Nominee Marty Makary’s Hearing

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Dr. Marty Makary, the nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) at a mostly cordial confirmation hearing on March 6.

The Johns Hopkins University surgeon and researcher fielded a plethora of questions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about topics ranging from the safety of abortion pills and seed oils to flu vaccines and information transparency.

The FDA is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, which is led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Like Kennedy, Makary over the years has criticized COVID-19 mandates, advocated removing chemicals and toxins from the U.S. food supply, and proposed greater transparency in medicine.

In a Nov. 22 Truth Social post announcing Makary’s nomination, President Donald Trump said that the agency has lost the trust of Americans and “lost sight of its primary goal as a regulator.”

Makary is needed to “course-correct and refocus the Agency,” Trump wrote, as well as to evaluate “harmful chemicals poisoning our Nation’s food supply and drugs and biologics being given to our Nation’s youth, so that we can finally address the Chronic Disease Epidemic.”

Minutes after Kennedy was sworn in as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 13, Trump established a Make America Healthy Again Commission to review the safety of antidepressants, vaccines, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs—all products regulated by the FDA.

If confirmed, Makary would explore vaccine safety, research additives and dyes in food, and address chronic diseases, among other initiatives.

Those are among the topics explored at the March 6 confirmation hearing. Here are five takeaways from the discussion:

Flu Vaccine Meeting

On Feb. 27, the FDA canceled an annual meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBAC) that usually discusses and chooses which flu strains to target in the upcoming fall season. Makary was asked about the move by Democratic and Republican lawmakers. He pledged to review the decision if he is confirmed.

“You have my commitment to review what the committees are doing, and how they are being used,” Makary said.

The FDA’s internal scientists will determine strains for the shots and send them to manufacturers to make sure that updated vaccines are ready for the fall, according to the Trump administration.

HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) first inquired about the meeting’s cancellation at Kennedy’s confirmation hearing last month; Cassidy said he was “struggling” to support Kennedy because of the nominee’s comments about vaccines.

“What is lost is the transparency,” Cassidy said, adding that cutting public discussion on vaccines detracts from Kennedy’s “radical transparency” pledge.

Makary repeatedly noted that he was not part of the decision to cancel the VRBAC meeting. He added that the committee has often just “rubber stamped” recommendations approved by the World Health Organization’s Global Influenza Program.

Several HELP committee members asked Makary to commit to holding a VRBAC meeting if he is confirmed. The nominee declined, saying the FDA does not need VRBAC input to choose a flu vaccine makeup.

By Jeff Louderbac

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Five Reasons Why The Latest Czech Elections Were So Important

Populist-nationalist politician Andrej Babis is poised to return to the premiership after his party's victory. Here are 5 reasons why this is so important.

Bad Bunny is the NFL’s Latest Insult

After years of advocating social justice causes, the NFL chose left wing, gender fluid rapper Bad Bunny to headline the next Super Bowl. Does the NFL want conservatives fans?

Scheduling collides with legacy

The ACC’s footprint now sprawls from Boston and Miami to Salt Lake City and the San Francisco Bay, defying both geography and its own name.

The Paradoxical Patriot: The political odyssey of Frank S. Meyer

In his book, Daniel J. Flynn examines the ideological evolution of one of conservatism’s most paradoxical and overlooked architects, Frank S. Meyer. 

This Is America: Target™ Reparations

“This Is America” explores the cultural undercurrents pulling Western...

FBI Surveilled 8 GOP Members of Congress, Document Shows

The FBI surveilled Republican senators as part of its Arctic Frost investigation, a newly disclosed document shows.

Trump Open to ‘Right Deal’ on Obamacare Subsidies Amid Shutdown Standoff

Trump is open to making a deal on Affordable Care Act subsidies, a key demand of Democrats in standoff over temporary funding of the federal govt.

CDC Endorses Standalone Chickenpox Vaccination for Younger Children

CDC stopped recommending a combination vaccine that contains a varicella component, advising a standalone shot against the disease.

CDC Says COVID-19 Vaccination Now Up to Each Individual

CDC no longer broadly recommends COVID-19 vaccination, each person should look at a range of factors, and consult their doctor, before receiving a shot.

Trump: All Medium, Heavy Duty Trucks Entering US Will See 25 Percent Tariff on Nov. 1

President Trump announced on Monday that all medium and heavy-duty trucks entering the United States will see a 25 percent tariff starting on Nov. 1.

Treasury Names Social Security Commissioner as CEO of IRS

Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent announced that Frank Bisignano, the head of the Social Security Administration (SSA), will also serve as CEO of the IRS.

Agencies Terminated, Descoped 94 Wasteful Contracts With $8.5 Billion Ceiling Value, Says DOGE

Various federal government agencies have terminated and descoped 94 wasteful contracts over the past five days, DOGE said in an Oct. 4 post on X.

Department of Energy Cancels $7.5 Billion in Project Funding

The Dept of Energy (DOE) said on Oct. 2 that it had terminated 321 federal grants funding 223 projects, amounting to about $7.56 billion in cuts.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central