Califf, nominee to lead FDA, asks Woodcock to stay in leadership role if he’s confirmed

 Robert Califf, President Biden’s pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration, has asked Janet Woodcock, who has served as the FDA’s acting commissioner for the last 11 months, to stay on in a leadership role at the agency should he be confirmed by the Senate, two sources with knowledge of the discussion confirmed to STAT.

It’s still not clear exactly what Woodcock’s role would be or how she would split responsibilities with Califf, should she accept his offer. The most obvious role would be principal deputy commissioner, a position that amounts to second-in-charge at the agency and has been vacant since Amy Abernethy left it in April.

Rumors have swirled in Washington that Woodcock, a 35-year veteran of the FDA, would retire from the federal government after not being chosen to lead the agency. She gave up her longtime role as head of the FDA’s largest center, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in April when she appointed her former deputy, Patrizia Cavazzoni, to that role.

Califf’s offer is likely to be welcomed by patient advocacy groups, which celebrated in January when Biden nominated Woodcock to lead the FDA in an acting capacity. However, it’s also likely to inflame critics of Woodcock who have accused her of playing a role in fueling the opioid crisis.

A confirmation hearing for Califf has not yet been set by the Senate. Woodcock can continue to serve as acting FDA commissioner until Califf is formally confirmed.

Califf did not respond to a request for comment. Woodcock declined to comment.

https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/02/califf-nominee-to-lead-fda-asks-woodcock-to-stay-in-leadership-role-if-hes-confirmed/