The US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions has voted to advance the nomination of Scott Gottlieb, MD, as the next Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The nomination will now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Among Dr. Gottlieb’s qualifications that gained him a favorable vote by the Senate health committee are his background as a practicing physician, his past experience in three roles at the FDA, and his status as a cancer survivor, according to Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee). Dr. Gottlieb has held the roles of FDA Deputy Commissioner, senior advisor to the FDA commissioner, and Director of Medical Policy Development.

Earlier this month, Dr. Gottlieb testified before the US Senate health committee on topics including the generic drug approval process, the opioid addiction crisis, and his former work as both a consultant and employee of pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Source: US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions