AAHP 2026 Outlook

By Mark Land, M.S., RAC-US, AAHP President

Building on lessons learned in previous years and focusing our attention on the issues of our industry and our members, the Board has established an agenda to address issues across the environment and to support the growth of member company businesses.

The Association

It is with great appreciation and apprehension that in 2026 Eric Foxman will retire from the AAHP Board of Directors. After a half century of involvement with AAHP, Eric will leave the Board to pursue other interests.

How will we replace Eric who has served as AAHP Secretary for the past 20 years? After much consideration by Eric himself and the Board, we have decided to make a full transition to the association management services of The Markens Group (TMG). AAHP has relied on TMG for management of many aspects of our trade association for many years. With Eric’s departure, it is expedient and effective for our association to expand our relationship with TMG. More about TMG later in this issue.

The Environment

The change in presidential administrations has brought with it sweeping changes for the American government, many of which affect AAHP member companies directly and the way our association is working in Washington D.C. Changes in organization and staffing at FDA has made it difficult to know who is our audience at our most important regulator. These changes are motivated by dissatisfaction with the outcomes in healthcare policy and economics. Changes in healthcare policy have focused on shifts in long held paradigms in medicine, nutrition, and prevention of diseases. The scope and vigor of these changes, while heralded by some as opportunities for homeopathy, on closer review have paralyzed FDA in a vacuum of direction. The rule for 2026 is business as usual. That is to say that goals, approaches, and strategies employed by AAHP will remain the same. In the end, common sense and shoe-leather work around Washington are still the best way to represent our industry before regulatory authorities.

The dynamics of the regulatory environment include the actions of regulatory authorities as well as industry and consumer response to changes in policy and enforcement actions. In 2025 AAHP engaged with Congressional authorities and this year we look to engage with FDA on issues facing our industry.

Our Projects

• Welcoming The Markens Group
• Member recruitment
• Congressional engagement
• FDA engagement
• Research webinar
• GMP webinar
• Community Townhall meetings
• Member engagement – Join the Board for a meeting
• Targeted and individualized outreach to prospective members

Come learn more about these projects at the virtual Annual Membership Meeting on March 13 at 11 a.m. EST.