• The White House has signed off on dismissing FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, according to people familiar with the matter.
  • The move follows internal tensions over vaping regulation and other drug safety decisions, and could signal a shift in regulatory priorities.
  • Industry observers are watching for impacts on drug approvals and biotech market sentiment.

The Trump administration has authorized a plan to remove Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, according to CBS News, citing sources close to the situation. The decision, reportedly approved by the president in early May, marks a potential leadership shakeup at the agency just over a year after Makary was confirmed in March 2025.

Makary’s tenure has been marked by disputes with the White House over regulatory approaches, particularly around vaping products and drug safety oversight. Internal friction had been building for months, with some administration officials pushing for a more aggressive stance on e-cigarettes while Makary prioritized scientific deliberation. A person familiar with the discussions described the relationship as “strained.”

“The regulatory environment is about to get a lot more uncertain,” said a healthcare analyst who asked not to be named. Calls to the FDA and White House for comment were not immediately returned.

The ouster could have immediate implications for biopharma and medical device companies, which rely on predictable FDA decision-making. The agency’s leadership vacuum may slow guidance updates and new drug application reviews in the short term, though some observers expect interim leadership to maintain continuity. Longer-term, the direction will hinge on Makary’s successor and the administration’s broader health policy goals.

Shares of vaping-related firms and certain biotech stocks saw modest volatility following the news, though broader markets remained stable as investors await further details. The development also rekindles debate over the FDA’s independence, with industry groups and public health advocates likely to monitor oversight hearings closely.

Clarification: This article has been updated to reflect that the plan has been approved but not yet executed.