FDA Chief Marty Makary Is on ‘Thin Ice’ With the White House

Top concerns include Makary’s ability to respond quickly to the White House desires.

Marty Makary

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary has been under pressure over some of the agency’s drug approval decisions. Bill Clark/AP

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary is on “thin ice” with the White House, according to two sources familiar with discussions.

Makary, a surgical oncologist who first gained prominence critiquing the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been on shaky ground both inside the agency and with the White House for months.

He was the subject of a scathing Bloomberg report this week, which said his tenure has been marked by friction among staff and leadership, industry frustration and a general dysfunction in the agency responsible for regulating the nation’s pharmaceutical supply and approving new drugs.