Dr. Nicole Saphier, Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. surgeon general, has reported earning over $200,000 in business income from her company, which sells dietary supplements. These supplements fall into a loosely regulated industry that health and consumer advocates have long criticized for lack of scientific oversight. Saphier, a radiologist specializing in breast cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey and a former Fox News contributor, is currently facing a Senate confirmation hearing. As part of her financial disclosure and ethics agreement, she also listed extensive investments in industries that influence public health, including tobacco. Saphier’s financial filings reveal that she earned $270,605 from her company, Empower MD, LLC, which owns her supplement brand, Drop RX. She also estimated the company's value to be between $100,001 and $250,000. Saphier stated she would sell the company before taking on the role of surgeon general. The Guardian previously reported that Drop RX has sold at least nine formulations since 2024, some of which were promoted on her Instagram account and sold on Amazon. One product, a turmeric and ginger blend marketed as "Soothe," was listed for $24.99 as of Monday. Public health advocates have raised concerns about Saphier’s supplement business. One of Drop RX’s products includes kava kava root, which the U.S. military has banned as a dietary supplement. The FDA has warned about potential liver damage linked to kava use and published a detailed review in 2020 highlighting its safety risks. Dr. Peter Lurie of the Center for Science in the Public Interest questioned how someone could run a supplement company given the lack of scientific backing for such products. Lurie also criticized Saphier’s investments in tobacco, noting that both she and her husband hold shares in Philip Morris International, while her husband also owns shares in British American Tobacco Industries. Saphier agreed in her ethics agreement to divest these investments within 90 days of her confirmation. Lurie called it unimaginable for someone to become surgeon general while financially tied to tobacco, a product the surgeon general’s office has long warned is deadly. He argued that such financial interests should automatically disqualify someone from holding such a public health position. Saphier is Trump’s third nominee for the role after his first two candidates failed to gain Senate approval. The White House has not yet commented on the recent disclosures, and Empower MD has not responded to requests for comment.