An inside look at a regulator in turmoil

The FDA is supposed to be one of the most stable, science-driven agencies in the federal government. Over the past year, that foundation has been shaken. This STAT special report delivers a clear, authoritative look at how leadership turmoil and political pressure have transformed the agency and why it matters for patients, businesses, public health officials, and you.

Why FDA instability matters for patients and industry

Drawing on months of in-depth reporting, STAT reveals how mass layoffs, rapid staff departures, and revolving-door leadership have destabilized the FDA under Commissioner Marty Makary. Once-private conflicts spilled into public view, top regulators were forced out or replaced, and long-standing norms meant to protect scientific independence began to shift.

These changes are already affecting real-world decisions: vaccine approvals overridden, surveillance systems reshaped, and agency scientists pushed to explore controversial theories. For drugmakers and biotech companies, the uncertainty has made FDA guidance harder to rely on. For the public, it raises urgent questions about trust.

This STAT Special Report brings clarity to a fast-moving and confusing moment. By connecting leadership decisions to their downstream consequences, STAT helps readers understand not only what happens inside the FDA but also what comes next.

If you depend on the FDA’s credibility, whether professionally or personally, this deep dive explains why the agency’s current instability could reshape American medicine for years to come.