Sarah Karlin-Smith

Sarah Karlin-Smith

Senior Writer

Washington, DC

Sarah specializes in the policy and politics that affect the pharmaceutical industry. She covers the US Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service and Congress and other parts of federal and state government. Her work explores how government policies influence how drugs are developed and approved, what diseases are prioritized by scientists, and who gets access to medicines and at what cost. Sarah has covered health care since 2011. Prior to returning to the Pink Sheet in March 2020, she covered health policy at Politico for five years. She is a regular panelist on the Kaiser Health News 'What the Health' podcast. Sarah was selected for and attended a 2018 International Women’s Media Foundation reporting fellowship in Rwanda. In 2016, she attended Harvard Medical School’s media fellowship on bioethics and, in 2014, was an Association of Health Care Journalists-National Library of Medicine Fellow.

Latest from Sarah Karlin-Smith

GOP Hill Staffer Joins US FDA As Senior Advisor, But Competing With MAHA For Legislative Position

Industry likely wants Grace Graham to take the FDA’s top policy and legislative role, but she may be passed over for someone more tied to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s interests.

GOP Hill Staffer Joins US FDA As Senior Advisor, But Competing With MAHA For Legislative Position

Industry likely wants Grace Graham to take the FDA’s top policy and legislative role, but she may be passed over for someone more tied to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s interests.

Cramped Quarters, Limited Parking And Water Concerns Await US FDA’s Return To Office

Many US FDA staff must return to in-office work beginning 17 March per Trump Administration mandate, but the agency's White Oak headquarters will struggle to accommodate the influx of workers.

Makary US FDA Nomination Advances, Last Minute Hiccup May Offer Clues On Mifepristone

President Trump’s CDC director nominee was pulled after vaccine positions appeared too extreme for some Republicans, but the nominations to lead the FDA and NIH advanced to the Senate floor despite last-minute drama.

Pink Sheet Podcast: Buyouts, Departures and Other US FDA Chaos

Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss the early retirement and buyout offers to FDA employees and significant agency departures in the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and chief counsel’s office as a new commissioner moved closer to confirmation.

Senate Committee Advances Makary Nomination After Last-Minute Hiccup

President Trump’s CDC director nominee was pulled after vaccine positions appeared too extreme for some Republicans, but the nominations to lead the FDA and NIH advanced to the Senate floor despite last-minute drama.