Top health officials, including (from right) Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with President Trump at the White House in 2025.Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

By Daniel Payne and Lizzy Lawrence

Feb. 23, 2026

Daniel Payne and Lizzy Lawrence interviewed lobbyists and government officials and reviewed corporate disclosures for this story.

Daniel Payne

[email protected]

Daniel Payne reports on how the health industry and Washington influence and impact each other. He joined STAT in 2025 after covering health care at POLITICO. You can reach Daniel on Signal at danielp.100.

Lizzy Lawrence

[email protected]

Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53.

WASHINGTON — Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly promised to root out industry influence from the Food and Drug Administration.

But the Trump administration’s injection of political priorities into the agency, which has long been shielded from such meddling, has opened new avenues for lobbying. The pharmaceutical industry is working to capitalize, according to 10 people, including lobbyists, advisers, FDA officials, and an executive involved in the efforts.

Advertisement

“The nature of the relationship is so drastically different now,” Michael Abrams, a managing partner at Numerof and Associates who works with pharmaceutical clients on regulatory requirements, said of the interactions between companies and the administration. Abrams said the new system, under Trump, makes discussions about FDA decisions that once would have been “heretical” the new norm.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

STAT+

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $399/year

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $399/year

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+.

Subscribe
, , , , , , , , , ,
Submit a correction requestReprints

  1. Daniel Payne

    Washington Correspondent

    Daniel Payne reports on how the health industry and Washington influence and impact each other. He joined STAT in 2025 after covering health care at POLITICO. You can reach Daniel on Signal at danielp.100.

  2. Lizzy Lawrence

    FDA Reporter

    Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53.