FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box: 21161
2300 18th St NW Lbby
Washington, DC 20009-9996
December 9, 2024
Doctors for America’s FDA Task Force Urges Senators to Closely Examine FDA Commissioner Nominee
Washington, D.C.: Today, Doctors for America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Task Force sent a letter to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee members urging Senators to protect the FDA’s ‘gold standard’ status by fully and thoroughly vetting the nominee to serve as FDA’s next Commissioner, Dr. Martin (Marty) Makary.
Doctors for America’s FDA Task Force has worked closely with lawmakers and agency officials to ensure that the FDA’s primary focus and priority is providing certainty to patients and their doctors about the efficacy and safety of medical products. We want to ensure that the next Commissioner upholds this scientific standard.
Because the FDA has a uniquely broad scope, regulating several industries and evaluating the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices, it is crucial that any candidate nominated to serve as FDA Commissioner has been thoroughly vetted for potential bias or conflicts of interest. Any personal or financial conflicts could undermine the agency’s mission and further exacerbate mistrust in the agency’s decision-making.
“Senators’ constitutionally mandated duty to advise the President on the competencies of public servants appointed at this level is one of the United States Senate’s most foundational and sacrosanct responsibilities,” said Dr. Janet Krommes. “We are urging Senate HELP Committee members to not bend to political pressure and instead take however long is necessary to ensure they have wholly and independently evaluated Dr. Makary’s candidacy to serve as FDA Commissioner.”
DFA FDA Task Force members will be on Capitol Hill this week meeting with lawmakers to discuss the seven essential FDA Commissioner qualifications, which are outlined in today’s letter:
- Have meaningful clinical experience;
- Be free from financial conflicts of interest and associations with any industries regulated by the agency;
- Staunchly support the need for robust clinical trials to support agency decision-making around medical product approvals that measure both safety and efficacy;
- Maintain the integrity and independence of the agency by transparently following the science in making regulatory decisions;
- Commit to weighing, considering, and deferring, when necessary, to the scientific view of the multitude of scientific and technical experts within the FDA over their and others’ personal opinions or motives;
- Be willing to uphold, enforce, and defend existing regulations despite political pressures;
- Commit to enhancing transparency to instill public trust in the FDA.
For press inquiries for members of the FDA Task Force Doctors for America or with physician members willing to speak on this issue please contact Claire Onyechi with Continuum Health Group ([email protected]).
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About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America mobilizes doctors and medical students to be leaders in putting patients over politics to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. We are 27,000 physicians and medical students in all 50 states, representing all areas of specialization. Our impact areas focus on access to affordable care, community health and prevention, and health justice and equity. DFA focuses solely on what is best for our patients, not on the business side of medicine, and does not accept any funding from pharmaceutical or medical device companies; which uniquely positions DFA as the organization that puts patients over politics and patients over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on Twitter @drsforamerica.