Trump’s Return and RFK Jr.'s Influence: Why Europe May Need to Step Up in Health Policy Leadership

This article is the author's personal opinion and does not represent the opinion of his employer.

With Donald Trump re-elected and set to return to the White House, the world is watching the United States brace for seismic changes in health policy. At the heart of these anticipated changes is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a controversial figure whose views on vaccines and pharmaceuticals have made him a divisive force. As Kennedy's ally, health tech entrepreneur Casey Means emerges as a potential FDA chief, biotech and pharmaceutical leaders on both sides of the Atlantic are wondering what lies ahead. This shifting landscape could mean stepping up our role in medical innovation, particularly in clinical trials, vaccine development, and approval pathways for new medications in Europe.

Kennedy’s vision, deeply sceptical of conventional healthcare, is set to challenge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) traditional approach. In particular, his alliance with Means—a former surgeon-in-training turned wellness advocate—signals a potential overhaul of drug and vaccine policies. According to STAT News, Means, 37, is a likely contender for the FDA commissioner role. She has publicly questioned the safety of vaccines and criticised pharmaceuticals for focusing on symptom management rather than addressing the root causes of illness. These views have unnerved many in the medical community.

A Radical Shift at the FDA?

The prospect of Means at the helm of the FDA has led to widespread concern. A co-founder of the wellness start-up Levels, Means has taken to conservative media platforms to criticise the pharmaceutical industry for prioritising profits over patients. “We prescribe 221 million statins a year, but heart disease remains one of the leading killers. It doesn’t make sense,” she said recently on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Her remarks, which echo Kennedy’s long-held scepticism of mainstream medicine, reflect a vision of healthcare that could limit access to new drugs and place severe restrictions on vaccine approval.

Eric Benner, co-founder of Tellus Therapeutics, warned of what might come under a Kennedy-backed FDA: “If RFK Jr. and Means influence the FDA, we could see drug approvals that hinge not on data but on ideology. Vaccines, particularly, could face unprecedented scrutiny and even denial based on political agendas rather than scientific evidence.” For an agency that has long been seen as the gold standard in global drug approval, a shift of this nature could alter U.S. health policy and potentially shake European regulatory standards.

The Growing Vaccine Debate

Kennedy’s scepticism around vaccines, though long dismissed by mainstream science, has found new prominence with Trump’s backing. Kennedy’s proposed "Make America Healthy Again" platform has renewed questions about childhood vaccinations, a stance that worries public health advocates worldwide. Recent studies, such as one published in The Lancet, demonstrate the life-saving impact of vaccines, with childhood vaccinations estimated to have saved over 154 million lives since 1974. Yet, Means has echoed concerns about the cumulative effects of multiple vaccines administered in early childhood, asking whether the current protocols adequately protect young patients.

There is understandable apprehension in Europe, where vaccine coverage remains comparatively high. "There’s clearly evidence that diet and lifestyle influence health," remarked Georges Benjamin, American Public Health Association executive director. "But the suggestion that vaccines are unsafe is not only incorrect but potentially catastrophic.” Europe has made tremendous strides in vaccination over the past decades. Still, a resurgence of vaccine scepticism could undermine public confidence and contribute to disease outbreaks like those seen in the United States in recent years.

A Call for European Leadership

As Trump’s new administration gains momentum, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Europe may need to take a more assertive role in advancing health interventions. With the FDA potentially swayed by ideologically driven leadership, Europe could become the global vanguard of medical innovation. This means investing more heavily in our own clinical trials, leading in vaccine development, and fast-tracking approvals for new medications that demonstrate safety and efficacy.

Given the interconnected nature of global health, there’s a pressing need for European regulators, like the European Medicines Agency (EMA), to assert greater independence. By taking a proactive stance, Europe can ensure that life-saving medications, vaccines, and health technologies continue to reach the public, regardless of shifting policies in the U.S. Protecting our population from disease and health threats requires strong leadership and a commitment to science over politics—a message that feels more relevant now than ever.

The Broader Impact on Pharma and Biotech

The possibility of RFK Jr. and Means steering U.S. health policy in a more sceptical direction has raised alarm bells across the biotech sector. David Kirn, CEO of 4D Molecular Therapeutics , commented on Means' proposals for extensive vaccine trials as "scientifically and financially unfeasible," noting that following children over decades to gauge individual vaccine impacts would be practically impossible. "It’s one thing to be cautious, but another to paralyse progress in the name of hypothetical risks," Kirn stated.

The European response to these changes could determine whether new medicines reach patients promptly or face unnecessary delays. While Kennedy and Means’ focus on “natural health” resonates with some who feel disillusioned by Big Pharma, critics like Grace Colón, former CEO of InCarda, argue that "pharma scepticism must be evidence-based, not ideological." Colón cautions that Kennedy-aligned figures could trigger the U.S. pivot away from drug-based treatment, potentially limiting American patients' access to proven therapies—a shift that might compel Europe to ensure such innovations are available to our citizens.

A Critical Moment for Health Policy

As Trump’s new administration prepares for office, the potential implications of an RFK Jr.-influenced FDA grow increasingly clear. European health leaders, biotech innovators, and public health authorities are now watching with a mix of concern and resolve. With the U.S. seemingly poised to turn inward on health policy, Europe has an unprecedented opportunity to champion evidence-based interventions and bolster public trust in science-led health solutions. By taking the lead on advancing new therapies, supporting rigorous clinical trials, and prioritising vaccine efficacy, Europe can ensure that health progress remains a reality for all—no matter what political tides shift across the Atlantic.?

As we face this new era of global health challenges, #Europe’s leadership may be essential in upholding a commitment to robust health standards, ensuring our populations are protected. That progress in medical science continues unabated.