New York Times – A Senate committee voted unanimously to approve Dr. Robert M. Califf, a cardiologist and clinical trial expert from Duke University, as FDA commissioner but full Senate approval is unlikely to happen soon.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska-R) plans to block his candidacy because FDA approved a genetically engineered salmon for consumption days after she questioned him on the topic at his confirmation hearing in November, and a spokesman for Senator Bernie Sanders of (Vermont-D) said he was also considering a hold because Dr. Califf had not done enough to stop the rise in drug prices.
Additionally, Dr. Califf has been a consultant to drug companies and ran a research institute that received most of its funding from the industry. Public health groups and some Democrats said those ties raised concerns that he was too close to the industry he was being called on to regulate, but many medical experts dispute that, saying the drug industry is a principal funder of U.S. research and working with companies does not present an inherent conflict.
Read the full story at NY Times.
Latest from Quality Assurance & Food Safety
- Director General of IICA and Senior USDA Officials Meet to Advance Shared Agenda
- EFSA and FAO Sign Memorandum of Understanding
- Ben Miller Breaks Down Federal Cuts, State Bans and Traceability Delays
- Michigan Officials Warn Recalled ByHeart Infant Formula Remains on Store Shelves
- Puratos USA to Launch First Professional Chocolate Product with Cultured Cocoa
- National Restaurant Association Announces Federal Policy Priorities
- USDA Offloads Washington Buildings in Reorganization Effort
- IDFA Promotes Andrew Jerome to VP of Strategic Communications and Executive Director of Foundation
