In December, President-elect Donald Trump announced his selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy, a former Democrat and independent presidential candidate, endorsed Trump after suspending his own campaign in August. He has promised to take on the pharmaceutical industry in this role, and his nomination is one step closer to confirmation by the US Senate early next year.
Kennedy, an environmental lawyer with no medical or public health background, is an unconventional choice to lead the vast agency, which includes the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He has been a vocal critic of the pharmaceutical industry, while also promoting alternative health practices and spreading misinformation about vaccines. He has also embraced conspiracy theories, such as the belief that HIV does not cause AIDS. In response, over 75 Nobel Laureates signed a letter urging the Senate to reject Kennedy’s nomination, citing concerns about the potential harm to public health.
Despite these criticisms, Kennedy has put forth some sensible health proposals that transcend party lines. In September, he launched the Make America Healthy Again campaign, which focuses on addressing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. In a Wall Street Journal editorial, he outlined several policy ideas to achieve this, including cracking down on processed foods and promoting preventive healthcare. Some of his proposals directly target the pharmaceutical industry, such as reforming the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) and reviewing guidelines for direct-to-consumer drug advertising.
PDUFA, enacted by Congress in 1992, allows the FDA to collect fees from pharmaceutical companies when they submit new drug applications. These fees make up a significant portion of the FDA’s budget and were implemented to address a backlog in new drug approvals. However, critics argue that this practice creates a barrier for smaller companies and may lead to rushed approvals. Kennedy believes that PDUFA gives too much power to the pharmaceutical industry and has called for reform.
While Kennedy’s nomination has sparked controversy, his proposals to address chronic diseases and reform the pharmaceutical industry have garnered support from both sides of the political spectrum. If confirmed, he will have the opportunity to make significant changes within the HHS and potentially impact the healthcare industry as a whole.
