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WASHINGTON, DC – Dr. Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, Director of the National Cancer Institute, Will Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said Tuesday Alex M. Azar III, Secretary of Health Services and personal services, Social Services.
Dr. Sharpless will temporarily fill the vacancy left by Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who surprised public health experts, lawmakers and consumer groups last week by announcing sharply that he was resigning for personal reasons.
Dr. Sharpless is the Director of the Cancer Center, a member of the National Institutes of Health, since October 2017. He is also the Chief of the Section on the Biology of Aging and Cancer at the National Institute on Aging Genetics and Genomics Laboratory. . Her research focuses on the relationship between aging and cancer and the development of new treatments for melanoma, lung cancer and breast cancer.
"Dr. Sharply's deep scientific knowledge and expertise will make him a strong leader for F.D.A. Azar said in a statement. "Ongoing efforts in drug approval and the fight against the opioid crisis, including the modernization of food security and the fight against the rapid rise in electronic cigarette consumption by young people ", will not be an issue.
Like many previous F.D.A. Commissioners, Dr. Sharpless had a long academic career. Prior to his appointment at the Cancer Institute, he had been Director of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina, a position he had held since 2014.
He will start work in early April, said Azar, after the departure of Commissioner Gottlieb since May 2017. Although Sharpless has already been mentioned as a possible successor to Mr. Gottlieb, Azar says that he will not be working. it is a temporary appointment and the search for a permanent commissioner is underway. A successor must be appointed by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate.
Dr. Gottlieb stated that he supported the appointment.
Dr. Sharpless said, "It will be an honor to advance the critical mission of public health of the F.D.A."
The F.D.A. regulates more than In the United States, 20% of products are cosmetic products, including contact lenses, artificial hips and prescription drugs.