The confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the FDA, Stephen Hahn, MD, begins today, according to STAT.
Dr. Hahn, who is also the CMO of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, will face hours of questioning from senators on a wide range of topics, including the rash of nationwide vaping illnesses and drug prices.
He will stand before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a ranking member of the committee, said she plans to ask Dr. Hahn about the administration's retreat from its plan to ban all favored vaping products
"I plan to press the president’s nominee to lead the FDA on whether he will implement the strong policy that was originally announced — or cave to political pressure," Ms. Murray told Politico.
Dr. Hahn has worked at Houston-based MD Anderson since 2015, when he started as chair of the radiation oncology department. Before that, he was a professor in the radiation oncology department at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Dr. Hahn would take the reins from acting commissioner Ned Sharpless, MD, who stepped into the role after the resignation of Scott Gottlieb, MD. Dr. Sharpless will stay in the role until the Senate confirms the permanent commissioner.
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