Califf, who is described by some as a safe choice for the agency’s top job, headed the FDA during the last year of the Obama administration.
President Joe Biden is expected to announce later this morning that he will nominate Robert Califf, M.D., to be commissioner of the FDA, numerous news outlets are reporting.
Today’s news is not a surprise. Numerous news outlets reported several weeks ago that Califf had emerged as Biden’s top choice. The lack of permanent FDA has been conspicuous by its absence. If confirmed by the Senate, Califf would take over from Janet Woodcock, M.D., who has been acting commissioner since the beginning of the Biden administration.
Related: Why Doesn’t the FDA have a Permanent Commissioner?
This would be Califf’s second stint as FDA commissioner. He was commissioner during the last year of the Obama administration, serving from Feb. 24, 2016 through Jan. 20, 2017.
Politico broke the news that Califf would be nominated this morning just before 9 a.m.
The Wall Street Journal reported that some consumer advocacy groups, such as Public Citizen, have been pushing the administration not to nominate Califf because of his consulting experience with drugmakers.
The Washington Post said FDA experts see him as a “safe choice — an experienced hand who is unlikely to make abrupt changes.” The Post also reported that Califf is a senior adviser to Verily and Google Health.
Breaking Down Health Plans, HSAs, AI With Paul Fronstin of EBRI
November 19th 2024Featured in this latest episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite podcast is Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at EBRI, who shed light on the evolving landscape of health benefits with editors of Managed Healthcare Executive.
Listen
The Growing Popularity of Non-hormonal Menopause Therapy
February 12th 2025Menopausal patients are most interested in learning more about non-hormonal treatments to address their symptoms, according to the results of an international survey led by the Menopause Priority Setting Partnership (MAPS). Monica Christmas, M.D., director of the menopause program at the University of Chicago Medicine and the Center for Women’s Integrated Health, discussed the survey details with Managed Healthcare Executive.
Read More
In this latest episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite podcast, Briana Contreras, an editor with MHE had the pleasure of meeting Loren McCaghy, director of consulting, health and consumer engagement and product insight at Accenture, to discuss the organization's latest report on U.S. consumers switching healthcare providers and insurance payers.
Listen
Sarepta Announces Positive Results for Elevidys, Gene Therapy for Duchenne
February 12th 2025Results show improved functional outcomes for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who are ambulatory. Elevidys, which is priced at $3.2 million per dose, produced $821 million in net product revenue for the company in 2024.
Read More