U.S. Senate confirms FDA commissioner

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Robert Califf to be commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

 

Califf is an American cardiologist and has served as the Deputy Commissioner of the FDA Office of Medical Products and Tobacco since January 2015. Califf was nominated by President Barack Obama in September 2015 to succeed Margaret Hamburg as the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. 

 

"Califf has demonstrated a long and deep commitment to advancing the public health throughout his distinguished career as a physician, researcher and leader in the fields of science and medicine," stated Stephen Ostroff, FDA acting commissioner. "He understands well the critical role that the FDA plays in responding to the changes in our society while protecting and promoting the health of the public, across the many areas we regulate – and I am confident that our public health and scientific contributions will further grow under his exceptional leadership."

 

“Dr. Califf will be providing leadership for the FDA at a crucial time,” commented Scott Melville, president and CEO for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. “His outstanding work in medicine, academia and previous role at the FDA, make Dr. Califf an excellent choice as the new commissioner."

 

“Dr. Robert Califf’s Senate confirmation as FDA Commissioner is pivotal for the agency, as well as for the dietary supplement and functional food industry," added Steve Mister, president and CEO for the Council for Responsbile Nutrition. "Dr. Califf’s demonstrated leadership at the agency, paired with the recent elevation of the Division of Dietary Supplement Programs to ‘Office’ status, will enhance the agency’s ability to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities.”