Continuing signs of political involvement at FDA

The ouster of Marty Makary as FDA commissioner in May could be a chance to depoliticize the agency’s decision-making. It looks like the Trump administration is not seizing the opportunity. While the agency is moving swiftly to reverse controversial setbacks that occurred under Makary, a close reading of public calendars points to ongoing political influence on regulatory decisions.

In the weeks since Makary’s departure, political appointees have continued to meet with Republican lawmakers and with companies pressing to reverse or soften regulatory decisions — a pattern that risks creating the appearance that outcomes can be influenced through political access rather than the review process led by career staff...