“The jockeying over who will be the next Food and Drug Administration commissioner intensified Tuesday when former agency heads and dozens of health groups urged the White House to nominate acting FDA chief Norman “Ned” Sharpless to become the agency’s permanent commissioner.”
“Supporters of Sharpless sent two letters — one from four former FDA commissioners and the other from more than 50 cancer and other groups — to President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. The letters had the same message: The FDA needs a permanent commissioner, and Sharpless should be nominated and confirmed to lead the agency…”
“More recently, concern has risen among some health groups and scientists that Azar may be supporting Brett Giroir, assistant HHS secretary for health, for the FDA job, at least in an acting capacity. Giroir has implemented several controversial administration policies, including antiabortion initiatives and new restrictions on federal funding for fetal-tissue research…” Read the full article here.
Source: Former agency heads, health groups push for FDA’s Sharpless to be permanent commissioner – By Laurie McGinley, September 4, 2019. Washington Post.
