In November, the Department of Health and Human Services declared the removal of “black box” warnings on hormone replacement therapies, with the intention of undoing the negative image associated with a crucial treatment for menopause symptoms, which existed for nearly twenty years. Present at a press event discussing the choice was Alicia Jackson, the head of a government agency that finances medical technology and research using public funds. As Jackson spoke from behind a lectern bearing the HHS emblem, she commended the recently implemented policy, deeming it a triumph for women and scientific advancements. “Today, we can contribute an additional decade of healthful years to the lives of every woman cherished by you,” Jackson remarked. “The evidence is evident: Hormone therapy is secure and successful.” It is highly advantageous to the majority of women. It was not evident on that day how the financial advantages the new policy could provide Jackson, as per the disclosure records procured by ProPublica. Jackson is the founding CEO of Evernow, a web-based platform that links women to medical professionals managing menopause symptoms. Even though she began serving in federal service last year, documents reveal that she retained over $115,000 worth of Evernow stock and an unspecified number of stock options. Alongside her husband, a venture capitalist, they possess a considerable investment portfolio that could create potential conflicts of interest considering her role in supervising the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, or ARPA-H. The extent of Jackson’s involvement in the removal of the black box warning, which is the most severe form of federal safety warning designated for medications with serious side effects or fatal risks, remains uncertain. The Food and Drug Administration, a separate agency, oversees drug regulation and had suggested discontinuing the warning requirement earlier than Jackson’s involvement in government. However, Jackson’s support for removing the warnings was seen as a conflict of interest by ethics experts, given federal laws prohibiting government employees from engaging in matters that could impact their personal finances. Virginia Canter, a former ethics lawyer for four US presidents, expressed concern about Jackson’s potential violation due to her financial stake in the company poised to profit from the policy change she endorsed as a government official. Agency officials like Jackson are mandated by federal law to submit financial disclosure forms and have them certified for compliance with ethics regulations. However, Jackson’s two financial statements, which were submitted in October and two months prior, have yet to be authenticated.
