Dr. Nicole Saphier, President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, markets an herbal supplement containing kava kava root, an ingredient prohibited by the U.S. military due to liver damage risks. The revelation has sparked concern among health experts and consumer advocates, who accuse her of selling "snake oil."
Amazon Investigation Launched
Amazon confirmed it has opened an investigation into Saphier's product line, Drop RX, following inquiries from the Guardian about compliance with its supplement sales policies. Several listings were removed or marked as "currently unavailable" after the inquiry.
"Nobody who prides themselves as rigorous about science is in the supplement business," said Dr. Peter Lurie of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food and health watchdog. Lurie has criticized wellness industry "grifters" within Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (Maha) movement.
Role of Surgeon General
The surgeon general is considered America's doctor, tasked with communicating scientific information to improve public health. Previous surgeons general have issued influential warnings on tobacco use and educated the public about AIDS. Saphier, a radiologist specializing in breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey and a former Fox News contributor, is Trump's third pick for the role after his first two nominees failed to advance in the Senate.
Product Details and Concerns
Saphier has sold Drop RX products since at least 2024, offering formulations like Allure, Boost, Relief, Sleep, and Intimacy. Labels claim the products are "physician formulated" and suggest benefits such as supporting brain health or a balanced mind and body. However, ConsumerLab.com president Tod Cooperman noted that the labels fail to disclose quantities of individual ingredients, a major red flag.
The first ingredient in Drop RX's Calm formulation is kava kava root. The U.S. Department of Defense added kava to its prohibited dietary supplement list in April 2024 due to potential impairment and threats to military readiness. The FDA issued a consumer advisory in 2002 about liver damage risks and published a 29-page safety review in 2020. Kava is banned or restricted in several countries, including the UK, France, and Switzerland.
Promotional Activities
Saphier promoted Drop RX on Instagram, including a June 2025 video linking rosemary and sage in her Focus product to reduced Alzheimer's risk. In another video, she described her Intimacy product as a "natural aphrodisiac" and suggested it for hormonal support. A now-deleted post showed her preparing a care package of Drop RX products for Trump after his gunshot wound.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Saphier's employer, has a conflict-of-interest policy prohibiting endorsement of commercial ventures. The hospital did not respond to requests for comment on whether Saphier complies with this policy.
Growing Supplement Market
The supplement market reached an estimated $72.9 billion in U.S. sales in 2025, but unlike drugs, supplements do not require proof of safety or efficacy before marketing. Lurie argued that many supplements are ineffective, mislabeled, or contain harmful ingredients. He added that Saphier's involvement reflects poorly on the science she would implement as surgeon general.
The White House defended Saphier, stating she is "an accomplished physician" who will be a "powerful asset" for Trump's Maha agenda. Saphier and Drop RX did not respond to requests for comment.
