Donald Trump's pick to head the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, MD, is a former big pharma board member and investor in medical startups, according to reports, which could create conflicts of interest if he is confirmed.
Gottlieb, 44, previously served as FDA deputy commissioner under the administration of President George W. Bush. He is currently assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine.
Gottlieb reportedly has financial ties to pharmaceutical companies that would be seen as conflicts of interest during the confirmation process, according to Reuters. He has funded medical startups and served on the boards of five pharmaceutical companies, including one of the largest, GlaxoSmithKline.
Trump has voiced support for deregulating businesses, but pharma executives aren't thrilled about the president's plans to ease FDA regulations, according to Fortune.
They fear a less robust FDA would make it harder to secure insurance coverage for pricey new medicines.
Lobbyists and executives at more than a dozen pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are urging the Trump administration not to speed up the drug approval process and have said the FDA is already adopting new drug development models, according to Fortune and Reuters.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
