Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark How Deep Does the Corruption Go? | FDA Director Dr. Marty Makary Tells All
Nov 25, 2025
Dr. Marty Makary, the newly confirmed FDA Commissioner, brings his expertise as a surgical oncologist and bestselling author into a powerful conversation about the agency's inner workings. He reveals alarming insights on conflicts of interest, the suppression of dissent, and the urgent need for reforms in food and drug regulation. Marty also tackles controversial topics like Tylenol in pregnancy and hormone therapy myths while promoting transparency and patient choice. His candid perspectives on tackling big food impacts and lowering drug prices could reshape public health.
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Agency Functioned As Fiefdoms
- Marty Makary found the FDA operated like autonomous fiefdoms with centers running as empires.
- He described user-fee funding and siloed lawyers and communications that reduced centralized accountability.
Cross-Agency Daily Coordination
- FDA now coordinates daily with NIH and CMS to target big public health problems rather than incremental tweaks.
- They aim to align funding, research design, and reimbursement to accelerate meaningful treatments.
Bring Early Science Forward
- Reviewers should flag promising early-stage science and bring it forward instead of waiting for late-phase trials.
- The FDA will proactively solicit technologies and act upstream to speed development of cures.
