The Food and Drug Administration logo prior to a press conference at Health and Human Services Headquarters in Washington, April 22, 2025.
Nathan Posner | Anadolu | Getty Images
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is replacing its top drug and biologics regulator, according to a memo obtained by CNBC, days after former Administrator Marty McCulley resigned.
Tracy Beth Hagg, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, and Catherine Sharama, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, will be leaving their positions, according to the memo. The two departments are responsible for regulating prescription drugs, including pills and vaccines.
Mr. Sharama will remain with the agency, according to the memo. Hogue said in a post on X that she had been fired. Michael Davis will replace Haeg at CDER, and Karim Mikhail will replace Sharama at CBER. Lowell Zeta will serve as acting chief of staff. As of Friday night, the organization chart on the FDA’s website had been updated to reflect these changes.
The shakeup caps a turbulent week at the FDA, which regulates products that account for about 20% of U.S. consumer spending, following McCurry’s resignation after days of reports that President Donald Trump wanted to replace the director. And it’s the latest layoff in a government agency plagued by turnover under the second Trump administration.
Davis has been one of several people to lead CDER since last January. CBER has had several faces in the job over the past year, including Vinay Prasad, who left the department, returned, then left again after a series of controversies.
The Trump administration hopes to name new permanent committee members in the coming weeks, a senior administration official told CNBC this week. That person would need Senate confirmation. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is seeking to fill health care vacancies, including director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and surgeon general.
Correction: Michael Davis will replace Haeg at CDER, and Karim Mikhail will replace Sharma at CBER. In previous versions, that role was incorrectly identified.
