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Consumer Groups Oppose Califf To Head FDA, Citing Industry Ties

Groups including Public Citizen say the Senate should reject the president's nomination of clinical trials expert and cardiologist Robert Califf as FDA commissioner due to his prior financial ties to industry. "The Gray Sheet" takes a look at his financial conflict of interest forms from former employer Duke University, which show relationships with a range of manufacturers – although more are from the pharmaceutical arena than the medical device space. But entries in Duke University’s conflict-of-interest disclosures don't always match up to those in the government's Open Payments database.

Several consumer groups are opposing President Obama’s choice of Robert Califf as the next FDA Commissioner, citing long-held financial ties to industry.

“The Senate should reject Califf and demand that the president nominate someone who has not been so closely connected to FDA-regulated industries,” said Michael Carome, director of Public Citizen’s Health...

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