FDA’s Sharpless vows continuity

“While my title may be acting commissioner, I assure you that I’m not acting as if this is a temporary or part time job,” Ned Sharpless told FDA staff Tuesday. In an all-hands speech at FDA headquarters, Sharpless said he plans to “maintain FDA’s current course of action in every area and proceed full speed ahead.”

Describing his priorities, Sharpless highlighted continuing initiatives to “increase competition and reign in prescription drug costs through advances in our generic drug and biosimilars programs,” as well as streamlining medical product development and implementing “new solutions to the opioid crisis, one of the greatest public health tragedies this nation has faced.”...