Robert F. Kennedy Junior Food and Drug Administration as a “corrupt system” “War on public health.” He pledged to eliminate “entire administrations” in the agency He was accused to ensure safety Among the foods that the Americans eat and the medicines we eat, they warn more than 18,000 people working there to “fill your bags”.
President -elect Donald Trump Kennedy nominated the leadership of the US Department of Health and Humanitarian Services. if it was The Senate confirmedI will have a “wilderness” opportunity for health, foods and medicines, such as Trump Put it During the campaign.
Food and drug management (FDA) – or desirable – appears to be from the outside, may not be clear. Dr. Robert Calif. In a position, he is allowed to know: His second work period as the agency commissioner ended on Monday.
During a hearing in the Senate at Capitol Hill.
(Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)
Calif’s profession extended to academic circles, large health systems, biotechnology industry, silicon valley and the highest levels in the federal government. He said that his fellow food and drug administration “works at the same amount and they are at least smart” like the people he worked with anywhere. General criticism It comes with the regionBut things seem different when you try inside Ensuring infant formatand Make tobacco products less addictive and Help consumers understand What is in grocery stores.
Calif spoke to a group of correspondents last week on his last day on the Oak White Oak campus in FDA in Silver Spring, Maryland. Here is his advice to those who will take over the public health roles in the Trump administration received. His comments were edited for length and clarity.
What do you wish to understand people about your job?
This is a job with many presidents and many restrictions. When you are in the office of the Food and Drug Administration, you can report to the executive branch. But Congress also believes that he is your president. It has not been heard by the FDA to want to do something and get a message from an important interest, “If you do so, we will decrease your budget elsewhere.”
It is interesting for me that people believe that food and drug management can announce this and that. Usually it is not possible. Usually you should pass through a systematic approach. The moment when the legal limits go beyond what the book of rules says, it will end in court. This will be curbed somewhat quickly.
How do you expect the new administration to change the food and drug administration?
I have no idea. Now we have a speech, the rhetoric is contradictory. We just have to wait and see.
Some people who were nominated to positions were very important, which means that there are thorny motives for people working in public health agencies. It seems much different when you have to make a decision and be responsible for that instead of criticizing the decision.
I have a copy of [President Theodore] Roosevelt “A man in the square” Above my office at home to remind myself every day that you are getting all this criticism from people who do not actually do. It is better to be in the square trying to do the best you can do.
Kennedy says he wants to get rid of some departments within the FDA. Are there areas that are more anxious?
I am concerned about every part of the FDA. I do not think you will find people in food and drug management who do a job that no one is interested in.
If you look at the nutritional aspect of food, drugs and inspectors, it suffers from a significant lack of funding. If you cut it – especially if you also say that we need to radically change the food system – this will be a problem.
Kennedy wants to see major changes in the food and health industries. Is this realistic?
Slogans Easy, look very difficult, but it is a little different when you enter the ovens. The clicks that created this diet are strong. Maybe it can be overcome. There is a possibility that things will be done for public health that cannot be done before.
The other part of this is if you really want to change the diet, it is better to have a 10 or 20 -year plan. If I announce today, “There are no advanced foods in pop Or other programs that with the help of federalism, “the agricultural industry will be disrupted. I do not say that this is a reason to keep it is what it is. What I say is that it is better to have a very careful careful plan that supports the economy, not just a handful of slogans.
Trump said he would be fulfilled in allegations about vaccines and autism. How should the Food and Drug Administration respond?
Anyone looking at this will find that the risks and benefits have already been identified. there Dozens of studies This show Unrelated between Vaccination and autism. The place where I will spend my time will not be, but if he wants to do this, I think he will find things already documented.
This does not mean that Post -market monitoring It cannot be better. It is not a great way to get things every time the question needs to answer public health, you need to obtain permission from every state and lands.
But I don’t think people will find any surprises. Everything is there. In order for there to be any kind of plot, it will take a large group of people outside the government who decide to work together. I lived in America all my life. It is difficult to get anyone working together on things.
The wrong information has called a major cause of death. Is it improving or worse?
We lose Battle on wrong information. I am not talking specifically about FDA. I am talking about all of us.
For me it is very clear Many people died from I will not die Are they just? I got a free coffee vaccineAnd if they are not misled or made they feel subscribed by people who collect incorrect information.
People who are experts in a field are often opinions about another field, then when someone calls them wrong information. It is much easier to extinguish the logo or make something that is concerned about whether you have got it properly and take the time and effort to go to the sources and get the correct information.
We are now losing the battle due to the intersection of social media and the cultural changes that have occurred. It threatens a lot of general health. We have to create networks of people devoted to truth.
What advice you have to lead the new health?
Change does not come easily in the government. If we move at least five people, you should get a review in Congress. This makes it really difficult.
When possible, use the evidence to make decisions. I heard a lot of tweets and short social media saying: “We’ll do that, we’ll do that.” Let’s see the evidence about what effective treatment is, then if it is good, go with it.
This is my main advice.