New FDA Chief Faces Challenges

Last month, the Senate confirmed Robert Califf, a cardiologist and clinical researcher from Duke University, as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Though he was overwhelming confirmed, some expressed concerns about his ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Others used the confirmation process to protest the FDA’s handling of opioid painkillers as the problem of addiction to these drugs have become a growing concern. We spoke to Peter Pitts, a former FDA associate commissioner and president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, about Califf, why he’s well suited for the job, and the challenges he will face in his new role.