The healthcare sector faced significant turbulence following President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy’s longstanding skepticism about vaccines has sparked concerns about its impact on public health and industry stability, leading to sharp declines in shares of vaccine producers like Moderna and Pfizer. 

Analysts suggest his leadership could reshape regulatory frameworks, adding uncertainty for pharmaceutical companies and possibly affecting vaccine uptake. Biotech firms also saw notable losses, while psychedelic therapy companies experienced gains, bolstered by Kennedy’s apparent openness to advancing their approval process. 

Meanwhile, the medical technology sector showed relative resilience, though experts caution that indirect impacts could still emerge. As Kennedy prepares to oversee critical agencies like the FDA and CDC, the industry braces for policy changes that could redefine its landscape.

Finsum: Don’t undersell the impact of inertia in regulatory process and now one might capitalize on a dip in health stocks.