Fifty organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, have expressed their confidence in Robert Califf, MD, to lead the FDA.
In a joint letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and 50 other national and local organizations, have backed the nomination of Robert Califf, MD, as Commissioner of the FDA. Dr Califf, if approved, will take over the reigns of the regulatory body from temporary chief, Stephen Ostroff, MD. Dr Ostroff was filling-in for Margaret Hamburg, MD, who stepped down in February this year.
Dr Califf has spent most of his career in academia, with more than 30 years as a prominent cardiologist and medical researcher at Duke University. However, he has some experience with the FDA, having served on the agency's Cardiorenal Advisory Panel from 1996 to 2000 and its Science Board Working Group from 2007 to 2008.
In the letter, the organizations declare their confidence in Dr Califf, stating, "We believe that with Dr Califf's diverse background, and his exemplary knowledge of clinical and translational medicine, he will continue to improve the FDA's drug approval process while ensuring that patients are receiving the safest and most effective treatments as quickly as possible. We urge his immediate confirmation."
Read the letter.
Overdiagnosis of Adult ADHD Is Exacerbating the Stimulant Shortage
March 11th 2025The authors argue that the stimulant shortage is being perpetuated by the overdiagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults because executive functioning deficits are not included in diagnostic criteria.
Read More
HIVconsvX Vaccine Shows Safety, Immune Response in People on ART
March 10th 2025This research on a T-cell–targeting vaccine in HIV has implications for future study design to incorporate consideration of age and years on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to evaluate the level of immune reconstitution.
Read More
Reviving the Classics: The Role of Older Medications in Modern Dermatology
March 9th 2025Older, generic medications, including ones for cyclosporine, nicotinamide, and dapsone, can effectively treat patients with various dermatological conditions while helping to reduce insurance and cost barriers.
Read More