Murray Announces Support for Dr. Robert Califf as FDA Commissioner, Lays Out FDA Priorities

Murray: “I have approached this nomination focused on the best interests of families and communities in Washington state and across the country, and in making sure the FDA puts them first in all its work”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee delivered remarks at a Committee hearing on the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to serve as FDA Commissioner. In her remarks Murray discussed challenges that lay ahead for the FDA, and called for continued progress to strengthen the FDA and improve the health and wellbeing of patients and families across the country.  

Murray explained her support for Dr. Califf’s nomination, highlighting his history of leadership, record of advancing medical breakthroughs, and commitment to transparency. Murray noted that Califf would be a strong partner at the FDA and urged her colleagues to support his nomination.

Key excerpts from Senator Murray’s remarks:

“The FDA Commissioner has a critical role to play in supporting health and wellbeing in our country.  Whether in the grocery store, the medicine cabinet, or the emergency room, families depend on the FDA to maintain the highest standards of product safety.As we discuss the future of the FDA and the many health challenges our country faces, I think it is important to note that valuable efforts have been made in recent years to strengthen the FDA and improve its services for patients and families.”

“There are several areas in particular where I hope to see continued progress. As someone who has seen personally the challenges that patients and families face due to chronic illness, I am very interested in making sure we are encouraging development of safe, effective treatments and cures for our most challenging unmet medical needs. So-called ‘superbugs’ are another growing threat—and an issue Chairman Alexander and I are working on closely. As we’ve seen in my state and across the country, where medical devices known as duodenoscopes have been linked to tragic outbreaks of antibiotic resistant infections, we need to find ways to prevent these infections—and respond more quickly and effectively when any risk arises.”

“In addition, our country faces urgent public health challenges that deserve our attention. To name a few—we need to move forward on making sure families have access to nutritional information and ensuring our food supply is both safe and healthy. We need to put all of the agency’s tools to work to stop tobacco companies from targeting our children. And we must do more to tackle widespread illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes that threaten so many people across the country.  And like so many of my colleagues here today, I have heard time and time again from families that the cost of prescription drugs is a significant financial burden.”

“Another critical priority is ensuring the FDA always puts science over politics. As some here will remember, several of my colleagues and I fought long and hard to ensure that medical expertise—not ideology—governed decision-making on the sale of Plan B over the counter. Women and families must be able to trust the FDA not to play politics with their health.”

“After careful consideration and review, I am confident that Dr. Califf would contribute leadership and expertise as we work to find new ways to advance medical innovation for patients and families, and improve health and wellbeing across the country. He is a strong nominee for the role of FDA commissioner. Dr. Califf has an impressive history of leadership and management experience, in particular at Duke. He would bring to this new role a record of advancing medical breakthroughs on challenging illnesses through clinical trials.”

“Dr. Califf has an impressive history of leadership and management experience, in particular at Duke. He would bring to this new role a record of advancing medical breakthroughs on challenging illnesses through clinical trials. And our review of his record demonstrates a longstanding commitment to transparency in relationships with industry and to working to ensure academic integrity. Dr. Califf has made clear he will continue to uphold these values and prioritize a strong, independent FDA as Commissioner.”

“I have approached this nomination focused on the best interests of families and communities in Washington state and across the country, and in making sure the FDA puts them first in all its work, from drug and device approvals to ensuring a child’s peanut butter sandwich is safe to eat. As we work toward these goals, I believe Dr. Califf would be a valuable partner. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting his nomination, and I look forward to working with all of you to strengthen health and wellbeing for the families and communities we serve.”

Full text of Senator Murray’s remarks:

“Thank you, Chairman Alexander, and all of my colleagues for joining us.

“Dr. Califf, thank you to you and your family for being here today. I want to express my appreciation to all of you for accepting this nomination, and continuing to offer your expertise—or your spouse or dad—in service of families and communities nationwide.

“The FDA Commissioner has a critical role to play in supporting health and wellbeing in our country.  Whether in the grocery store, the medicine cabinet, or the emergency room, families depend on the FDA to maintain the highest standards of product safety.

“As we discuss the future of the FDA and the many health challenges our country faces, I think it is important to note that valuable efforts have been made in recent years to strengthen the FDA and improve its services for patients and families. 

“Last year, for example, the FDA approved 51 new drugs and biologics, its highest number in almost 20 years.  And the agency consistently approves drugs more quickly than advanced regulatory agencies in other countries—while maintaining high standards of safety and effectiveness.

“The FDA also has made strides toward implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act, helping to bring our nation’s food safety system into the 21st century.

“Despite these gains, the FDA faces significant challenges moving forward. There are several areas in particular where I hope to see continued progress.

“As someone who has seen personally the challenges that patients and families face due to chronic illness, I am very interested in making sure we are encouraging development of safe, effective treatments and cures for our most challenging unmet medical needs. 

“So-called ‘superbugs’ are another growing threat—and an issue Chairman Alexander and I are working on closely.  

“As we’ve seen in my state and across the country, where medical devices known as duodenoscopes have been linked to tragic outbreaks of antibiotic resistant infections, we need to find ways to prevent these infections—and respond more quickly and effectively when any risk arises. 

“Especially as technology continues to evolve, we need to do more to make sure that after products reach the market, the FDA has the effective tools it needs to monitor their safety—taking full advantage of information technology.

“We must ensure that FDA continues to strengthen its generic drug and biosimilar programs. 

“And I also believe there is much more we can do to bring patients’ voices into the process of developing new treatments and cures, and ensure their priorities are consistently reflected in the FDA’s work.

“In addition, our country faces urgent public health challenges that deserve our attention.

“To name a few—we need to move forward on making sure families have access to nutritional information and ensuring our food supply is both safe and healthy.

“We need to put all of the agency’s tools to work to stop tobacco companies from targeting our children.

“And we must do more to tackle widespread illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes that threaten so many people across the country. 

“And like so many of my colleagues here today, I have heard time and time again from families that the cost of prescription drugs is a significant financial burden.

“I believe that the next FDA Commissioner has an important role to play in ensuring all patients and families have access to the prescription drugs they need.

“Another critical priority is ensuring the FDA always puts science over politics. As some here will remember, several of my colleagues and I fought long and hard to ensure that medical expertise—not ideology—governed decision-making on the sale of Plan B over the counter. Women and families must be able to trust the FDA not to play politics with their health.

“As Congress and the Administration works together to address these and many other health challenges in which the FDA plays a significant role, we need to recognize that our efforts won’t be successful without additional support for the FDA.

“We must make sure the FDA has the resources and authorities it needs to hire top experts in a highly competitive field, and manage its growing workload as it navigates our increasingly global supply chain.

“Many of these are issues that our committee is currently debating as we negotiate bipartisan legislation to advance medical innovation for patients and families.

“After careful consideration and review, I am confident that Dr. Califf would contribute leadership and expertise as we work to find new ways to advance medical innovation for patients and families, and improve health and wellbeing across the country. He is a strong nominee for the role of FDA commissioner.

“Dr. Califf has an impressive history of leadership and management experience, in particular at Duke.

“He would bring to this new role a record of advancing medical breakthroughs on challenging illnesses through clinical trials.

“And our review of his record demonstrates a longstanding commitment to transparency in relationships with industry and to working to ensure academic integrity.

“Dr. Califf has made clear he will continue to uphold these values and prioritize a strong, independent FDA as Commissioner.

“I have approached this nomination focused on the best interests of families and communities in Washington state and across the country, and in making sure the FDA puts them first in all its work, from drug and device approvals to ensuring a child’s peanut butter sandwich is safe to eat.

“As we work toward these goals, I believe Dr. Califf would be a valuable partner.

“I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting his nomination, and I look forward to working with all of you to strengthen health and wellbeing for the families and communities we serve.”