'Turmoil' at key Trump agency could cause problems for GOP in midterms: report

Donald Trump's administration has fallen short of easing tensions with the drug industry after talks were held yesterday (February 17).

Pricing for initiatives that may benefit the pharmaceutical trade and inconsistent standards from the Food and Drug Administration have stoked anxiety within the industry, according to insiders. An industry forum led to minimal success for both the wants of the drug industry and the Trump administration.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Mehmet Oz and FDA commissioner Marty Makary both appeared at the PhRMA Forum, according to Axios, with both giving statements at the event with little in the way of success.

Oz defended the pricing, which had hit the industry, saying, "Prices are lower anyway, so it's less hurtful; the sector did OK, we believe." He also noted progress in Congress had been made, though suggested further actions are needed from the current administration.

He added, "If it's not done right, a future administration will take more drastic, draconian steps in ways that would hurt this industry." But the uncertainty around the actions of the Trump admin has done little to quell anxieties in the drug industry.

Steve Ubl, CEO of industry trade group PhRMA, said the FDA is the industry's lead cause of concern, particularly over the anti-vaccine rhetoric that has been seen recently. Ubl said, "Nothing chills investment like uncertainty."

Makary would try to soothe reservations about the FDA, saying he wanted to "see more kids vaccinated" but defended the administration's choices over narrowing recommended childhood vaccine schedules.

Midterm election worries for the admin and wider Republican Party representatives could change how the rhetoric with drug companies develops.

Axios writer Peter Sullivan suggested, "The turmoil at the FDA may be harder to remedy in the short term, though the administration already is taking pains not to rock the boat further on vaccines heading into the midterm elections."