Scott Gottlieb, a deputy FDA commissioner during the George W. Bush era, will assume the top job in the agency following a 57-42 confirmation vote in the Senate that broke mostly along party lines. Republicans, who provided all but six six of the votes for Gottlieb, said the physician and political conservative will bring the steady hand of experience to an agency with responsibilities ranging from testing medical devices to assuring the safety of a large part of the U.S. food supply.
Democrat Patty Murray of Washington state, who voted against Gottlieb, said Americans “want independent, science-based leadership at FDA” but Gottlieb “has not convinced me that he can withstand political pressure from this administration.” When he was nominated, Gottlieb was a partner in a venture capital company and a managing director of a merchant bank in Los Angeles. He was deputy FDA commissioner for medical and scientific affairs during Bush’s second term.
Gottlieb said during the confirmation process that he might delay the debut of the updated Nutrition Facts label, now set for July 2018. Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts said FDA has not completed its “guidance” documents to the food industry for the new label and said foodmakers would have to modify their packages again when USDA issues rules on disclosure of GMO ingredients.
At the start of this month, the FDA delayed for one year, to May 7, 2018, the compliance date for restaurants, carryout stands and other food retailers to list on their menus the caloric content of their items. Menu labeling was required under the 2010 health care law.
“A physician, investor, and consultant to the drug industry, Gottlieb drew criticism from some Democrats and consumer advocates who disapproved of his financial ties to the industry he will regulate,” said Stat, the medical news site. “But his nomination also garnered much praise; supporters said his long experience working with drug makers would help him administer the FDA smartly and sensibly.”