By John “CZ” Czwartacki, Executive Director of the Informed Patients Project
With Dr. Marty Makary’s departure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a new Commissioner will soon take the helm of one of the nation’s most important public health agencies. As the next FDA Commissioner sets an agenda for the agency, one principle should guide their priorities: putting patients first. That starts with focusing on these five key areas:
1. Finalize a federal definition of ultra-processed foods.
Americans are hearing more and more about ultra-processed foods, but there is still no single federal definition for what actually qualifies as one. That creates confusion for consumers, policymakers, and manufacturers alike.
Establishing a clear, uniform definition of ultra-processed foods would create consistency across federal agencies, support future nutrition policies, and give consumers greater confidence when making decisions about the food they eat. Americans deserve clear information, not competing definitions.
2. Get promising treatments to patients faster.
Patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses can’t spend months waiting for a new treatment to clear bureaucracy. The FDA’s review processes exist for a reason: ensuring that treatments are safe and effective. But when breakthrough therapies show real promise, patients shouldn’t be stuck waiting unnecessarily for access.
The next FDA Commissioner should continue looking for ways to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and make the review process more transparent. Patients deserve safety, speed, and access to health care information every step of the way.
3. Embrace the future of digital health.
From remote patient monitoring devices to telehealth technologies and decentralized clinical trials, innovation is changing how patients access their care. These tools can be especially valuable for the more than 61 million Americans living in rural communities, those with mobility challenges, and individuals managing chronic conditions.
The FDA should continue supporting responsible innovation while ensuring these technologies remain safe, reliable, and effective. In our increasingly digital world, that also includes establishing clear guidelines for AI-powered health tools that protect patient privacy, support the patient-provider relationship, and contribute to healthier outcomes for users. Whether rural or online, patients should not be forgotten.
4. Stand firmly behind patients’ Right to Try.
For some patients, time is a luxury they simply do not have. Right to Try laws give patients facing life-threatening conditions an opportunity to pursue investigational treatments when other options have been exhausted.
The next FDA Commissioner should remain committed to these policies and explore ways to make them work better so that patients, together with their doctors, can make the right choice for their health.
5. Remain focused on better health outcomes for patients and their families.
The FDA’s mission is too important to be sidetracked. There will always be pressure to chase headlines, launch new initiatives, or revisit debates that have already been settled.
Patients are best served when the agency stays focused on what matters most: better health outcomes for every American. That means accelerating innovation, improving access to care, strengthening public trust, and providing clear, reliable information that empowers people to make informed decisions about their own health.
Because informed patients are healthier patients.
