Robert Califf, M.D. Nominated to be Next FDA Commissioner

On September 15, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Dr. Robert Califf as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Dr. Califf, a cardiologist and medical researcher, currently serves as the FDA’s deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco.  Prior to the FDA, Dr. Califf was a professor of medicine, a pharmaceutical researcher and the vice chancellor for clinical and translational research at Duke University.

In March, Margaret Hamburg resigned after serving six years as FDA commissioner.  Stephen Ostroff has served as acting commissioner.  Dr. Califf will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to accept the post.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has worked closely with the Commissioner and FDA on several issues, recently focusing on drug shortages.  We look forward to continuing to work closely with the FDA on this and other issues.