News|Articles|May 13, 2026

End of FDA Commissioner Makary’s Tumultuous Tenure Leaves Agency in Transition

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s departure caps a turbulent tenure marked by leadership instability, industry pushback, and a series of regulatory controversies that complicated drug development for sponsors and CROs.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, resigned Tuesday, according to The Associated Press, just 13 months after being confirmed to lead the agency, following months of mounting pressure from pharmaceutical executives, anti-abortion activists, vaping industry lobbyists, and other political allies of President Trump.¹