Senate confirms Robert Califf as FDA commissioner
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Robert Califf to lead the Food and Drug Administration amid ongoing public health challenges. Califf, a cardiologist with prior FDA experience, was approved in a bipartisan vote. This move aims to stabilize the agency during debates over drug approvals and regulations.
On March 15, 2022, the Senate voted 68-31 to confirm Robert M. Califf, MD, as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Califf, a professor of medicine at Duke University and former FDA commissioner from 2012 to 2015, returns to the role under President Joe Biden's administration.
The confirmation comes at a critical time for the FDA, which has faced scrutiny over its handling of COVID-19 vaccines, drug shortages, and regulatory reforms. During his nomination hearing in January 2022, Califf emphasized the need for science-based decision-making. 'The FDA's mission is to protect public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices,' he stated in his prepared remarks.
Supporters, including Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), praised Califf's expertise. 'Dr. Califf brings deep knowledge of the FDA and a commitment to using science to guide policy,' Murray said. Critics, primarily Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), raised concerns about Califf's ties to the pharmaceutical industry and past involvement in clinical trials. Paul voted against confirmation, citing potential conflicts of interest.
Califf's tenure will address pressing issues, such as accelerating drug approvals while maintaining safety standards. The FDA has been under pressure from the opioid crisis, with over 100,000 overdose deaths reported in 2021 according to CDC data. Additionally, the agency is navigating post-pandemic vaccine authorizations and emerging therapies for diseases like Alzheimer's.
Background on Califf includes his leadership in large-scale cardiovascular trials, including the DUKE Clinical Research Institute. He resigned from his previous FDA post in 2015 after controversy over industry funding. No major contradictions appear in reports; the vote tally is consistently reported as 68-31 across sources.
This confirmation provides continuity for the FDA, which oversees about 20% of U.S. consumer spending on products. Implications include potential advancements in personalized medicine and stricter oversight of direct-to-consumer advertising.