Mario Lugones held a virtual meeting with Robert F. Kennedy Jr: What they talked about

The Minister of Health of Argentina, Mario Lugones, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services of the United States, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., participated in a virtual meeting where they addressed a variety of topics of mutual interest, with the intention of deepening bilateral collaboration in the health sector.

During the meeting, which represents the first step toward a stronger cooperation between the Government of Javier Milei and Donald Trump, essential issues related to public health were discussed.

One of the main focuses was the shared concern about the advancement of drugs in the market that lack sufficient scientific backing regarding their health effects. Both officials expressed their concern about the absence of conclusive data on the safety of certain drugs and the possible risk they pose to patients.

Additionally, the importance of advancing in the reduction of drug costs was highlighted, a problem both considered central to expanding access to essential treatments. According to what was expressed during the dialogue, lowering prices would be a key step to ensure that more people can access the medications they need. This shared perspective was one of the relevant points of the exchange.

Minister Mario Lugones highlighted the value of the dialogue held and shared on his X account some of the points addressed during the meeting. "We strengthen health cooperation with the United States," expressed the head of the Health portfolio through a post.

He added: "I had the opportunity to chat with the Secretary of Health and Human Services of the United States @RobertKennedyJr in a virtual audience. We both share the goal of having healthier citizens, of prioritizing the health of our compatriots."

Lugones also emphasized several of the policies being implemented in Argentina, including advances aimed at deregulating, organizing, and providing greater transparency to the national health system, which he described as a system that was undergoing a constant crisis.

In this context, he emphasized the key role the Ministry of Health must play as a governing body and the responsibility that different jurisdictions have in managing the health system in their respective regions.

"I took the opportunity to express my enthusiasm for the recent reforms implemented in the FDA, which are very necessary for decision-making based on scientific evidence," added the minister.

The meeting highlighted the shared interest in continuing to build a joint work agenda that allows both countries to collaborate closely in improving public health and addressing the main challenges facing the sector.

The Role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

It is important to note that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appointed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services of the United States in February 2025, after receiving Senate approval.

In that role, he is responsible for overseeing key agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

In his function, he will be in charge of managing budgetary resources and defining policies aimed at key programs such as vaccination campaigns, food safety, and chronic disease prevention.

This was reflected in a post on the social network X issued by the White House, where some of the central axes of Kennedy's role were listed: "Empowering Americans with healthier lives, restoring trust in public health institutions, and defending medical freedom for all."

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, had already anticipated in November that Kennedy Jr.'s task would be crucial to prevent the population from continuing to be "crushed by the industrial food system and pharmaceuticals that have resorted to deception, misinformation, and manipulation."