A Year of Change

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

This year 2025 is poised to be one of the most dynamic years in recent memory. Everyone is aware by now of the sweeping changes promised by the new administration in Washington D.C. Changes in healthcare proposed by cabinet level nominees in the new administration already have — and will continue to have — implications for manufacturers of healthcare products. There has been a great deal of activity and discussion regarding what these proposed changes may mean for therapies like homeopathy.

At AAHP our approach has been to monitor the hype but to prepare for what we can. Some think the proposed overhaul of government and healthcare specifically is a panacea for what ails the regulatory framework for homeopathic medicines. What we know is that Rober F. Kennedy, Jr. has said that he wants to address: clean food, healing the farming soil, freedom of choice for vaccines and fluoridated water, and restore transparency by breaking corporate influence in regulation.

A few other things we know, and we plan to engage on this year:

At FDA we will have a new Commissioner, a new Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), and other high-ranking officials within the agency. Some of these positions will be filled with officials already familiar with or familiar to AAHP. This will expedite AAHP getting to know them.

At the Congressional level, the majority in both chambers are republican and aligned with the president’s mandate. Although narrow, the aligned majority in both chambers sets the ground for enactment of the administration’s priorities. This year the Over-the-Counter Monograph User Fee Program (OMUFA) will be reauthorized. This reauthorization will usher in an era of OTC monograph reform. Up to this point the program has largely focused on building capacity in the space. AAHP will keep members informed about developments in this area affecting our space.

At AAHP, it will also be a year of transition. A key member of AAHP staff will retire this year after 46 years with the association: AAHP Secretary and board member Eric Foxman! AAHP is currently undertaking an internal review to address policies, procedures, and the resources necessary to navigate this transition. To learn more about this project and opportunities to participate in the association’s work, members are invited to join AAHP’s virtual Annual Membership Meeting, March 13, noon EST.