A key Senate panel will vote next week on President Obama’s choice to lead the Food and Drug Administration.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has scheduled a vote for Jan. 12 on the nomination of Robert Califf to be the agency’s next commissioner.
The decision announced Monday comes a few months after Califf was grilled before the committee during a nomination hearing that focused on high drug prices and painkiller abuse.
Califf, a former researcher at Duke University, also defended his ties to drug makers. Califf has conducted clinical trials for several major drug companies.
Despite the questions about drug company ties, Califf received key support from several senators on the panel including ranking member Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.
Chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., also praised Califf’s credentials.
