1. Medtech Insight

Califf Clears First Senate Hurdle, But Could FDA’s Abortion Pill Access Decision Be A Headache?

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Robert Califf’s nomination to be the next US FDA commissioner squeaked out of the Senate health committee, but a significant number of Republicans are against his confirmation over the agency’s recent decisions on abortion drugs.

Former US FDA Commissioner Robert Califf testified on 14 December, 2021, before the US Senate HELP committee in his bid to lead the agency again
Former US FDA Commissioner Robert Califf testified before the US Senate HELP committee on 14 December in his bid to lead the agency again • Source: Alamy

The US Senate Health, Energy, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee voted 13-8 on 13 January to advance Robert Califf’s nomination to lead the US Food and Drug Administration. The close vote sharply contrasted with his unanimous vote when he was nominated to lead the agency under President Barack Obama in 2016 and is indicative of a much tougher fight he is likely to face on the Senate floor.

A key stumbling block appears to be the FDA’s recent decision to make it easier for people to access the...

More from Leadership

More from Medtech Insight

US FDA Unveils Plans To Consolidate Support Services

 
• By Derrick Gingery and Sue Sutter

Commissioner Martin Makary told staff that plans are being developed to centralize HR, IT, travel and other functions, which were heavily impacted by the 1 April reduction-in-force.

A Year After Exiting The Ventilator Market, Medtronic Recalls Thousands Of Newport Devices

 
• By Brian Bossetta

After two serious injuries and one death linked to some of its ventilators, Medtronic has recalled the devices and asked customers to stop using them and find alternative means. The action comes more than a year after the company left the market.

‘UK Must Put Adoption On A Par With Innovation’

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Market access concerns dominated at the annual BioWales In London event, where AstraZeneca set out industry’s priorities and the UK Office for Life Sciences struck an optimistic tone about how the UK will lastingly improve uptake of innovation.