FDA leadership shake-up continues with departure of top drug regulator

Source: NBC News

May 15, 2026, 6:47 PM EDT


Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg is leaving her role as head of the FDA division that regulates over-the-counter and prescription drugs, according to a Department of Health and Human Services official.

Høeg, a sports medicine doctor who criticized Covid shots for children during the pandemic, served as acting director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research for about five months.

She was the fifth person to hold the post under the second Trump administration and the right hand to former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who resigned Tuesday after opposing the Trump administration’s moves to expand access to flavored e-cigarettes. Høeg was previously a special assistant to Makary.

Michael Davis, the deputy center director at CDER, will take over as acting director. Makary’s role is temporarily being occupied by Kyle Diamantas, the FDA’s top food regulator. HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-shakeup-top-drug-regulator-hoeg-makary-rfk-jr-rcna345357