Donald Trump‘s choice for surgeon general is promoting an herbal supplement that includes an ingredient banned by the US military. Health experts have raised alarms about this ingredient, claiming it can damage the liver.
Dr. Nicole Saphier’s background in selling dietary supplements—products that enjoy minimal regulation in the US—has sparked concern among medical professionals and consumer advocates. Some have even labeled her offerings as “snake oil.”
Following inquiries from the Guardian regarding compliance with their policies on supplement sales, Amazon announced that it had initiated an investigation into Saphier’s products.
“No one who is serious about science typically engages in the supplement industry,” stated Dr. Peter Lurie from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a health watchdog. He has criticized individuals within health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (Maha) initiative for peddling poorly regulated supplements with dubious claims.
The surgeon general is aptly regarded as America’s doctor, tasked with disseminating the best scientific knowledge for improving public health. Previous holders of this office have issued significant warnings on tobacco use and awareness about AIDS.
Dr. Saphier is a radiologist specializing in breast cancer at the renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey and previously contributed to Fox News. She is Trump’s third nominee for the role, following the Senate failures of her two predecessors.
Neither Saphier nor her company, Drop RX, responded to multiple requests for comment.
According to White House spokesperson Kush Desai, “Dr. Nicole Saphier is an esteemed physician experienced in radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering. She has been a passionate advocate for breast cancer prevention, opposed intrusive COVID-19 mandates, and scrutinized the politicization of science, as well as the federal government’s involvement in America’s chronic disease epidemic. She will be an invaluable asset to President Trump in executing the Maha agenda.”
Public health scientist Richard Carpiano from UC Riverside expressed concerns that Saphier’s sales of “pseudoscientific” products could undermine trust in a position reliant on public confidence.
“The US surgeon general should be a highly trusted figure, effectively communicating public health based on the best scientific evidence,” Carpiano noted. “If she’s willing to promote such wellness products, what else might she endorse in her tenure?”
Saphier has been selling her products under the Drop RX brand name since at least 2024. The Guardian’s review identified at least nine different formulations, including names like Allure, Boost, Relief, Sleep, and Intimacy. The labels claim these products are “physician formulated” and suggest various benefits. For instance, the label for Focus indicates it is “designed to support overall brain health,” while Calm is meant to “support a balanced mind and body.”
The Drop RX website directs customers to Amazon, where the Calm and Focus formulations were sold until recently. The Guardian purchased both products for $24.99 each shortly after Saphier’s nomination. Each comes in a 2oz glass bottle with a dropper, suggesting daily usage of “1-2 dropper fulls under the tongue or diluted in a beverage.”
After the Guardian’s inquiry on Wednesday regarding Drop RX’s Amazon listings, several listings were removed by Thursday, with the remaining ones marked as “currently unavailable” for purchase. Amazon later communicated: “We are investigating the compliance of the products in question and will take appropriate remediation actions.”
Previously, Saphier had promoted her products on Instagram. In a video from June 2025, she mentioned a new study stating that increased rosemary and sage consumption may reduce Alzheimer’s risk, highlighting that Drop RX’s Focus contains both ingredients to promote brain health. “We’re ahead of that trend,” she said.
In another video posted in August 2025, Saphier shared her morning routine, including tea made from her Boost and Intimacy products. “Intimacy. I know how it sounds,” she said, displaying the box. She described it as an “incredible combination” that acts as “a natural aphrodisiac.” Additionally, she claimed it offers essential hormonal support for everyone, regardless of gender.
Unlike Saphier’s other products, the Guardian was unable to locate Intimacy on Amazon’s platform.
In another now-defunct Instagram post, Saphier mentioned preparing a “care package” from Drop RX for Trump as he continues to recover from his gunshot wound.
Saphier’s employer, the respected Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), has a policy that prohibits the “endorsement of products or commercial ventures.” The MSKCC has not responded to repeated inquiries about Saphier’s compliance with their conflict-of-interest policy.
A Concerning Ingredient
The primary ingredient in Drop RX’s “Calm” formulation is kava kava root, commonly known as kava. This ingredient was added to the US Department of Defense’s list of banned dietary supplements in April 2024. The decision was made “due to concerns about potential impairment and threats to military readiness,” as stated by a department health systems representative.
Concerns surrounding liver damage associated with kava have been recognized since a consumer advisory from the FDA in 2002. The FDA issued a comprehensive 29-page review in 2020, highlighting various safety issues regarding kava.
While kava can be legally sold in the US, it faces bans or restrictions in several countries, including the UK, France, and Switzerland, due to concerns over liver toxicity.
Regulations in the US may vary based on how it’s sold. For example, kava is sometimes prepared as a tea, but New York state prohibits it in food establishments, labeling it as an adulterant. However, it remains legal to sell kava as a dietary supplement independently.
Consumer advocates have voiced additional concerns regarding Drop RX. ConsumerLab.com, which independently tests health and nutrition products, reviewed numerous dietary supplements and cautioned about “red flags” consumers should be wary of.
After examining Amazon listings for two Drop RX products, Tod Cooperman, the president of ConsumerLab, noted that they exhibited the top red flag: vague labeling regarding ingredient amounts. The two products investigated included organic ginkgo biloba extract, organic Bacopa monnieri, and organic lavender, but failed to specify their quantities.
“We encourage consumers to choose products where ingredient amounts are clearly indicated,” Cooperman emphasized. “Most reputable supplements provide detailed breakdowns of their components.”
Despite labels claiming adherence to US manufacturing standards, they did not clarify where the products were made or indicate third-party validation of those practices.
A Growing Market
The supplement market is expanding rapidly but remains contentious. Key figures within the Maha movement have embraced the industry, which reportedly achieved $72.9 billion in sales in the US in 2025.
Unlike pharmaceuticals, which undergo rigorous testing, dietary supplements do not need to prove safety and efficacy prior to marketing. Many of these supplements are ineffective, may not contain the stated ingredients, potentially include harmful substances, or all of the above, according to Lurie from the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
While dietary supplements cannot explicitly claim to treat diseases, they can use structure or function claims, suggesting their ingredients influence body functions—for example, that they provide “immune support” or that “calcium builds strong bones.”
Lurie believes that a lack of evidence to demonstrate efficacy results in many dietary supplements residing in a gray area, as no one has validated their health benefits. “If they were effective, someone might attempt to market them as drugs, as there is significant financial potential in that,” he explained.
Lurie remarked that Saphier is merely the latest Trump nominee who supports such products, hinting at the type of science one might expect under her guidance.
In summary, Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general has sparked significant debate regarding her connection to potentially harmful dietary supplements. The concerns surrounding her product line raise questions about trust in public health messaging. As the supplement industry flourishes, the need for robust regulatory standards and consumer awareness is increasingly urgent.
