Can We Trust the FDA? Marty Makary on Science, Power & Patients

The conversation centers on modernizing the FDA, addressing competition with China, and reforming healthcare. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary details efforts to streamline drug approval processes, including reducing animal testing, and transitioning to continuous trials using AI and Bayesian statistics. He emphasizes the importance of re-evaluating the food pyramid, advocating for increased protein intake and addressing the over-prescription of medications. Makary also discusses the need to lower drug prices through measures like most favored nation status pricing and increasing the availability of over-the-counter drugs. He touches on vaccine schedules, aiming to rebuild public trust by identifying core essential vaccines. The discussion also covers the potential of AI in diagnostics and the regulation of alternative proteins, balancing innovation with consumer safety.