New FDA Commissioner has DEEP Ties with Pharma – No Conflict of Interest Here

President Obama has approved Dr. Robert Califf, a doctor described as “the ultimate industry insider” as the next FDA Commissioner. According to the New York Times, Dr. Califf “has deeper ties to the pharmaceutical industry than any F.D.A. commissioner in recent memory.”

He has an extensive record of close collaboration with pharmaceutical giants, including Gambro, Regeneron, Gilead, AstraZeneca, Roche, and other companies. He described regulation as a “barrier,” not a safeguard for public health. What does this mean? It means the FDA has officially been bought by Big Pharma.

In disclosure information printed in Circulation, Califf also lists financial links to the maker of the $1000-a-pill hepatitis C drug. But this is FDA commissioner material? No conflict of interest here, people, just keep on keepin’ on.

When Bernie Sanders condemned the vote for Califf from the campaign trail, he was vilified. Where were all the lawmakers who say they care about industry and Wall Street profiteers making money at the expense of public health? Where was Hillary Clinton, who says drug companies’ inflated prices are her worst enemy, and must be stopped? No maligning of Califf? Not even a wee-bit of concern?

One of the FDA’s recent allowances for Big Pharma which would likely only get worse under the ‘rule’ of an insider like Califf is S 3187,  a bill which is primarily concerned with increasing the pay-to-play administrative fees; in other words, the FDA is going to charge those who contract with them more while at the same time shortening the time it takes to get all pharmaceuticals approved.

That means more fast-tracking for more drugs that harm and impair the public at high costs. Need an example of some recent ones? Look here for a listing of over 35 that had to be pulled form shelves after FDA approval.

This savvy insider, Califf, also helped the medical industry find and pay faculty for ‘regulatory consulting.’ According to the Intercept:

“Ethics forms and business incorporation documents show that from 2006 through this year, Califf served as a board member and consultant to Faculty Connection LLC. The company boasts that its team of “practicing university-based physicians and researchers” provides “regulatory consulting,” including expertise in FDA briefing reviews and other regulatory submissions to the agency.”

AIDS healthcare Foundation (AHF), which has criticized FDA Commissioner nominee Dr. Robert Califf as ‘too close for comfort’ to

Califf, who was the chancellor of clinical and translational research at Duke University until recently, received money from 23 drug companies including giants like Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Merck, Schering Plough, and GSK according to a disclosure statement on the website of Duke Clinical Research Institute.

He has also been a director, officer, partner, employee, consultant or trustee to at least half a dozen Big Pharma companies.

Portola Pharmaceuticals says Califf served on its board of directors until leaving for the FDA.

What does Califf say about his painfully obvious ties to Big Pharma?

“Many of us consult with the pharmaceutical industry, which I think is a very good thing. They need ideas and then the decision about what they do is really up to the person who is funding the study.”

Califf has defended a Big Pharma med, Vioxx, which is reported to have caused at least 50,000 heart attacks and adverse events before it was withdrawn.

He was also instrumental in the Duke drug trial of the blood thinner Xarelto and a cheerleader of the drug despite medical experts’ objections to its approval and 379 subsequent deaths.

How can a Big Pharma insider regulate Big Pharma? He can’t. May as well ignore any advice, if you weren’t already, that comes from this farce of an agency. Fools Don’t Ask. Just swallow the pill.

Additional Sources:

Salon