FDA Commissioner Stepping Down

On February 5, 2015, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg announced she would be leaving the agency at the end of March.  Throughout her six years at the FDA, Commissioner Hamburg oversaw drug approvals, food safety regulations, tobacco oversight and health initiatives. 

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) worked closely with the Commissioner and FDA on several issues, recently focusing on drug shortages.  In March 2013, ASA sent a letter to Commissioner Hamburg regarding the FDA’s strategic plan on drug shortages.  We look forward to continuing to work closely with the FDA on this and other issues.

FDA chief scientist Stephen Ostroff will take over as acting commissioner upon Commissioner Hamburg’s departure. This announcement comes approximately three weeks after Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services Chief Marilyn Tavenner announced she was stepping down.