On February 15, the Senate narrowly confirmed Dr. Robert Califf as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In a bipartisan nail-biter, six Republicans supported him and four Democrats opposed him. Bernie Sanders, an independent, also voted against him, and another senator withheld his vote.
Califf—a cardiologist who has served as the deputy commissioner of the FDA’s Office of Medical Products and Tobacco, as President Barack Obama’s FDA commissioner, and as the head of medical strategy at Alphabet, Google’s parent company—takes over the position from Janet Woodcock, the acting commissioner since President Joe Biden assumed office more than a year ago.
The role comes with a long to-do list: During an initial hearing in December, Califf fielded questions from senators about streamlining COVID treatments and tests, dealing with rampant social media misinformation, and addressing an overdose crisis that has only worsened during the pandemic.
Alex Norcia – Filter – 2022-02-15.
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