2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumSanders Opposes FDA Chief Nominee Over Ties to 'Greedy' Big Pharma
Why would PBO even consider this guy?
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Friday, October 09, 2015
by Common Dreams
While at Duke, Robert M. Califf received millions in funding and salary support from Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, and other drug companies
by
Nadia Prupis, staff writer
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Friday said he would vote against President Barack Obama's nomination to head up the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), citing Dr. Robert M. Califf's ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Califf, a cardiologist and Duke University researcher, became FDA deputy commissioner earlier this year, and Obama announced plans to nominate him as the agency's chief last month. But in light of several recent industry scandals that brought national attention to price gouging of life-saving medications, Sanderswho is running for president as a Democraton Friday said he would not support the status quo when the vote comes before the U.S. Senate health committee.
"At a time when millions of Americans cannot afford to purchase the prescription drugs they need, we need a new leader at the FDA who is prepared to stand up to the pharmaceutical companies and work to substantially lower drug prices. Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that Dr. Califf is not that person," Sanders said following a meeting with the nominee this week.
"In a sense, he's the ultimate industry insider," Daniel Carpenter, a Harvard political science professor, told the Times.
"The greed of the pharmaceutical industry is a public health hazard to the American people," Sanders said. "That has got to change."
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http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/10/09/sanders-opposes-fda-chief-nominee-over-ties-greedy-big-pharma
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)For the same reason he puts charter-school pushers in charge of education. Like other 3rd-way "Democrats" he believes that private enterprise is the best way to handle everything.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)The international charity he will be given to oversee will boast even greater contributions than Bill Clinton's. Totaling even more billions of dollars.
And he probably will end up getting way more than Bill's $ 250,000 per speech in front of corporate podium.
azmom
(5,208 posts)Give them hell Bernie! We got your back.
Uncle Joe
(58,355 posts)Thanks for the thread, KoKo.
artislife
(9,497 posts)The business seems to be on the side of good, but their practices is pure shite.