Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the NIH will stop publishing in major journals he calls corrupted by drug industry influence. On the “Ultimate Human” podcast Kennedy named The Lancet, JAMA and New England Journal of Medicine as examples. 

He claimed these journals block research that could reduce pharmaceutical profits. Kennedy said NIH scientists should have a trusted space for honest work. He plans to create in-house journals under HHS. He believes these new publications will become leading sources of science. Kennedy has long criticized pharmaceutical ties in medicine. He said even editors of those journals once admitted to deep conflicts of interest.

Kennedy’s Crackdown On Pharma-Tied Publications

Kennedy referenced an article by The Lancet’s editor who warned that half of medical research may be untrue. He also cited a former NEJM editor who said drug companies control what gets published. Kennedy said NIH funding makes a scientist legitimate so they must publish in trustworthy outlets. The White House’s recent MAHA Commission report supported Kennedy’s view. It accused pharma of hijacking science with corporate dollars. 

“Unless these journals change dramatically, we are going to stop NIH scientists from publishing there.” - Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

He continued, “And we are going to create our own journals, in-house, in each of the institutes … and they are going to become the preeminent journals.” 

RFK Jr. wants to break that control. He said these new journals would free researchers from editorial pressure and restore trust. The accused journals have not responded. NIH has not issued a formal directive but insiders say planning has begun. Kennedy stressed the need for transparency in medical research. He says the future of public health depends on truth not profit.