Trump appoints anti-abortion doctor to head FDA
U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the FDA. Overton, a declared opponent of abortion, will replace Dr. Martin Makary who resigned in protest over e-cigarette policy. The appointment has drawn criticism from investors over her limited experience.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Dr. Heidi Overton to head the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Overton, currently serving as Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, will replace Dr. Martin Makary, who resigned in May due to disagreement with the administration's new policy allowing the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. Trump called Overton a "rock star" in a post on Truth Social, adding that the FDA needs her leadership to maintain global leadership in scientific discoveries and pharmaceuticals. Overton is known for articles she previously wrote in a conservative journal, where she opposed abortion and called for additional restrictions on prescriptions for abortion-inducing drugs. She argued that abortions are "devastating" and that abortion pills are "much more dangerous for women." Last week, she stood alongside Trump as he signed an executive order recommending a reduction in the number of vaccines given to children, a non-binding move that drew widespread criticism from public health experts. Investors in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors criticized the appointment, noting that Overton has limited professional experience preparing her to manage a large agency overseeing food, drugs, tobacco, and medical device industries. Some argued that this is a political appointment by the president.