Sharfstein leaving FDA

Joshua Sharfstein is resigning as FDA principal deputy commissioner, according to senior agency officials. Sharfstein's appointment as secretary of health and mental hygiene for the state of Maryland is expected to be announced Wednesday.

Sharfstein was a member of President Obama's transition team. He was appointed to the number two position at FDA in March 2009 and served as acting commissioner prior to Margaret Hamburg's confirmation in May. Sharfstein led a high-profile initiative to increase FDA transparency and the creation of the FDA-TRACK performance measurement system. He also was actively involved in drug safety decisions, including the decision to keep diabetes drug Avandia rosiglitazone on the market. ...