FDA commissioner resigns

No word on when a replacement will be named

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned from his post.

His departure has virtually nothing to do with the operations of the agency’s food responsibilities, but rather comes after months of tension about his failure to act more swiftly about abortion medication. He had also locked horns with President Trump about whether to approve new vaping products, which the president had promised voters would happen.

Makary had been scheduled to testify before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee Wednesday to discuss the FDA budget. As of Tuesday afternoon it was not known whether anyone would take his place at the hearing or if testimony about the budget would be delayed until another FDA official could prepare.

In recent days, President Trump had repeatedly denied having plans to remove Makary, though some in his Administration said the plan had been approved. On Tuesday before Makary resigned, the president declined to tell reporters whether the FDA chief was leaving voluntarily or was being fired.

“Well, I don’t want to say, but Marty’s a great guy, he’s a friend of mine, he’s a wonderful man and he’s going to be off. And the assistant, the deputy, is taking over temporarily until we find — everybody wants that job. It’s a very important job,” said Trump.

“Marty’s a terrific guy but he’s going to go on and he’s going to lead a good life. He was having some difficulty. You know, he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty.”

The assistant Trump referred to is Kyle Diamantas, a lawyer who has been serving as Deputy Commissioner for Food at the FDA.

Coral Beach

Managing Editor Coral Beach is a print journalist with more than 35 years experience as a reporter and editor for daily newspapers, trade publications and freelance clients including the Kansas City Star and Independence Examiner.

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