President Obama on Tuesday nominated cardiologist Robert Califf to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has been without an official head since the beginning of April. Hamburg stepped down as commissioner at the end of March after almost six years on the job-one of the longest contemporary tenures for an FDA commissioner. In the interim, FDA’s acting commissioner has been Stephen Ostroff, M.D.
Advertisement
If confirmed by the Senate – a considerable if, given the many Obama nominations that have languished in recent years – Califf would inherit an agency facing broad new responsibilities and potentially on the brink of major changes.
The FDA’s commissioner is topic to strain from an array of out of doors pursuits, together with multinational firms, politicians, shopper advocates and medical professionals.
Califf’s background as a drug researcher might make him receptive to a number of the reforms popping out of Congress, although he has not testified or spoken publicly concerning the laws. The FDA is in the middle of implementing the extensive food safety legislation passed by Congress in late 2010, an effort that has taken years. “He’s thoughtful and personable, and I’m sure will be a strong advocate on behalf of the FDA during a very critical period”. The legislation could have a massive impact on the way in which FDA regulates nearly every medical product it oversees. Before that, he was founding director of Duke’s Clinical Research Institute, the world’s largest academic research organization, the FDA said.
Advertisement
However Califf’s work for drugmakers might additionally complicate his path to affirmation, notably amongst Senate lawmakers who say the FDA is already too cozy with the business. Califf also held stock investments in two smaller drug companies – Portola Pharmaceuticals and N30 Pharmaceuticals – which he sold before joining the federal government.
