Dr. Robert Califf has been unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions as the next commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -- a move lauded by the National Health Council (NHC).
The NHC is comprised of members from various health care sectors who are dedicated to representing not only the more than 133 million people in the U.S. suffering from chronic diseases or disabilities, but also the people who care for them.
A measure to confirm Califf for the post will now go before the full U.S. Senate.
“To advance the delivery of quality care in this country, the FDA must ensure that the voices of people with chronic diseases and disabilities are incorporated into the research, development and regulation of medical products,” NHC CEO Marc Boutin said. “Dr. Califf has proven through his varied career the ability to engage patients and bring multiple points of view to help tackle complex issues. The patient advocacy community urges the full Senate to confirm Dr. Califf as FDA commissioner. We need an FDA that is open to new possibilities, that has an investigative spirit to consider different pathways and is committed to seeking the valued input of the end user -- the patient.”
