The Changing Role of the FDA with Advances in Health and Aging: Dr Andrew Von Eschenbach, former FDA Commissioner

The government’s role in public health is a hot-topic discussion in a world dedicated to scientific advancement and safety. Today’s episode discusses the Food and Drug Administration’s role in promoting and protecting public health, the goals needed to cure disease on a national and worldwide scale, and the essential qualities of public health leadership. We sat down with former Commissioner of the FDA and renowned cancer specialist Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to dive into the process and policy. Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach is the former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and Director of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. He served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as well as Chairman of the Department of Urologic Oncology. Dr. von Eschenbach is an internationally renowned cancer specialist and served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. (02:37) – An interest in science (05:04) – Investigating and treating cancer (09:04) – National Cancer Institute (12:17) – Public policy and healthcare leadership (15:57) – Food and Drug Administration (19:06) – Joining the agency (23:25) – Promote and protect public health (30:59) – Leadership in process and policy, not practice (33:52) – Increasing interest in supplements (38:43) – Personalized medicine and digital health (43:01) – An issue of trust (47:36) – Engaging real-world evidence (49:39) – Innovation in the delivery of care infrastructure If there are topics that you are interested in learning more about, please visit MichaelJLeeMD.com. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please follow I’d Love to Know in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. The information from this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is meant for basic informational purposes only. If you're interested in pursuing any of the therapies, supplements, or medications discussed here, please consult with your physician. Podcast episode production by Dante32.