Bernie Sanders Blocks Obama Nominee To Lead FDA

[question everything]

WASHINGTON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said on Tuesday he has placed a hold on President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration, claiming he is too close to the pharmaceutical industry to be an impartial regulator.

The move by the U.S. senator from Vermont comes one day after Democratic Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts also placed a hold on the nomination until the agency agrees to reform its process for approving opioid painkillers.

The nominee, Dr. Robert Califf, is a cardiologist and researcher who joined the FDA a year ago as a deputy commissioner. He previously held senior positions at Duke University, where he founded a large academic research center that received more than half of its funding from the drug industry.

(snip)

The FDA does not control drug prices, but Sanders said that "at a time when millions of Americans cannot afford to purchase the prescription drugs they require, we need a leader at the FDA who is prepared to stand up to the drug companies."

Last year, he said, one in five Americans, or 35 million people, could not afford to fill their prescriptions.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-robert-califf_us_56a7adb5e4b0b87beec6178c

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Indeed, neither the FDA nor the HHS has any say over drug prices. I once wrote a letter to then Secretary Sebelius and was told so. Suggested I contact my member of congress.

[BlueCaliDem]

1. Fancy that! Bernie uses GOP talking points!

Why am I not surprised?

The FDA does not control drug prices, but Sanders said that "at a time when millions of Americans cannot afford to purchase the prescription drugs they require, we need a leader at the FDA who is prepared to stand up to the drug companies."

He darn well knows that the FDA doesn't control drug prices - CONGRESS CAN. And what body of gov't is he in? That's right. CONGRESS. So can we get a bill of his that has successfully been passed through Congress to lower drug prices? Or will we just have to do with his political stunts of crossing into Canada with seniors to buy drugs for them?

The more you learn about Sanders, the less likable he is.

But I'm suuuuure, President Obama will be endorsing this guy.

[pandr32]

2. Private industry helps fund University research

And FDA studies also rely on funding by private industry...it is a fact. If we do not like it than we have to fully fund these things with public funds...not going to happen any time soon.
Thanks for this post!

[LoveMyCali]

3. Why not

Bernie is handing out free money. Free college, free medical care, free research. Free money for everybody!

[great white snark]

4. The career politician once again tries to play the revolutionary.

and he'll leave no bridge unburned while doing so.

[still_one]

5. This again demonstrates Sanders ignorance of exactly how things are run.

[Cha]

6. But, really what does bernie know?