Former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigns under pressure, critics call his tenure the weakest in 25 years

Marty Makary stepped down as FDA commissioner on Tuesday after mounting pressure, ending a tenure that many observers described as the weakest in the agency’s recent history.

Critics said he lacked a clear grasp of the FDA’s regulatory role, allowed senior leaders to depart, and weakened internal standards, leaving staff feeling ignored.

The article notes that Makary did promote some initiatives, such as encouraging artificial‑intelligence tools in drug development, trying to cut review dead time, and speeding clinical trials, but these efforts were seen as insufficient to offset broader concerns.