The Senate just confirmed Dr. Scott Gottlieb as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Senate just confirmed Trump's pick to lead the FDA — here's what that could mean for the agency
Dr. Scott Gottlieb has been confirmed as FDA commissioner.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb testifies before a Senate Health Education Labor and Pension Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S. April 5, 2017.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gottlieb is a healthcare investor, a physician, and well known in the drug industry. He previously served as former deputy commissioner of the FDA during George W. Bush's presidency.
Trump has said that he wants to deregulate the drug industry, which the FDA regulates, and has called the drug-approval process "slow and burdensome."
"We're going to be cutting regulations at a level that nobody's ever seen before," Trump said in a meeting with drug company executives on January 31. He estimated up to 80% of regulations would be slashed.
ADVERTISEMENT
Over the years and at his Senate hearing, Gottlieb has been vocal about his thoughts on the FDA. Here's what his nomination could mean for the future of the agency.
- hard time getting approved
- 2014 opinion piece
- told Stat News
- 2010 opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal
What the FDA does
The FDA is responsible for regulating food and drugs. It's also responsible for regulating medical devices, blood donations, veterinary products, cosmetics, and tobacco. Trump's comments have left the drug industry concerned about what deregulation could mean for the drug-approval process.
It was officially founded in 1906, when the Food and Drugs Act was signed into law, prohibiting misbranded food, drinks, and drugs from interstate commerce. This cracked down on misleading claims that treatments could "cure" patients.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here are some examples of the FDA at work:
- 22 new drugs
- the year before
- banned antibacterial soap
- cracked down in April 2016
- class of antibiotics
- drugs aren't misleading
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Chad to become the first of Africa's current junta-led states to move to democracy
Russia spreads its military influence to another African country
A look into South Korea’s rice gift to Africa
FBNBank Ghana changes to FirstBank Ghana to align with group identity
Nigeria restricts power export to neighbouring countries to meet domestic demand
NOG Energy Week 2024: West African countries harnessing gas for industrialisation to boost economic development
10 African countries with the smallest labor force
West Africa healthcare and pharmaceutical landscapes gets a boost: A look back at Medlab & Pharmaconex