FDA Watch
FDA Watch
Podcast Description
FDA Watch is a twice-monthly, national podcast that provides an independent, non-partisan forum for discussing and understanding the latest developments, trends, and issues involving FDA. The podcast focuses on four core areas: pharmaceuticals and biologics; medical devices and diagnostics; food and dietary supplements; and cosmetics and personal care products, as well as on the overall direction of FDA regulation. The podcast also will have bonus episodes to cover breaking news. Podcast guests analyze FDA regulations, guidances, and policy developments and engage in insightful and revealing conversations with the co-hosts: Wayne Pines, former FDA associate commissioner and author/editor of 16 books about FDA, and Shelly Garg, principal at Garg Law, an FDA-focused law firm and a frequent writer on FDA issues. Subscribers to the podcast include regulatory affairs specialists, food and drug attorneys, policymakers, government officials, strategic planners, and IT and cybersecurity professionals.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on four primary topics: pharmaceuticals and biologics, medical devices and diagnostics, food and dietary supplements, and cosmetics and personal care products. Recent episodes have covered significant subjects such as MoCRA, the regulation of food safety under the new administration, and key issues in device regulation, emphasizing practical and policy analysis.

FDA Watch is a twice-monthly, national podcast that provides an independent, non-partisan forum for discussing and understanding the latest developments, trends, and issues involving FDA. The podcast focuses on four core areas: pharmaceuticals and biologics; medical devices and diagnostics; food and dietary supplements; and cosmetics and personal care products, as well as on the overall direction of FDA regulation. The podcast also will have bonus episodes to cover breaking news. Podcast guests analyze FDA regulations, guidances, and policy developments and engage in insightful and revealing conversations with host Wayne Pines, former FDA associate commissioner and author/editor of 16 books about FDA. Subscribers to the podcast include regulatory affairs specialists, food and drug attorneys, policymakers, government officials, strategic planners, and IT and cybersecurity professionals.
Wayne chats with Rachel Raphael, Partner at Morgan Lewis, and Ronie Schmelz, Partner at K&L Gates. You’ll hear their thoughts on what’s happening at FDA in cosmetics and personal care products; how companies should navigate ingredient concerns amid federal inaction, aggressive state laws, and stricter foreign regimes; the state of regulation surrounding labeling and advertising and promotion; what industry should be keeping an eye on heading into 2026; and much more.
In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments:
Tensions reported between FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Pharma: From the Guardian, finding CDER Director replacement left FDA in state of “turmoil” and “tensions”
Devices: From the Economic Times, European medical device manufacturers feeling U.S. tariff squeeze
Food: RFK Jr. calls for greater food allergy research at Food Allergy Fund Leadership Forum
In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net.
Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].
Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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