Topic analysis

FDA turmoil deepens as top drug chief departs claiming she was fired

In a major May 2026 leadership shake-up at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), acting drug chief Tracy Beth Høeg claimed she was fired after refusing to resign, while acting vaccines chief Katherine Szarama (in the role for just 10 days) and chief of staff Jim Traficant were also ousted. These departures follow the earlier resignation of commissioner Marty Makary, leaving the agency without permanent leaders for key centers and top roles amid ongoing controversies over vaccine and drug regulation decisions and low staff morale.