While there may not be hearings for a new Supreme Court justice anytime soon, there is likely to be a confirmation regarding the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) this week, possibly the end of the hour. Yesterday, Dr. Robert Califf, the deputy director of FDA’s Office of Medical Products and Tobacco, passed a procedural vote in the Senate, 80-6. He is expected to be confirmed by tomorrow and then testify before the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday. Numerous Senators had indicated they would hold up hearings due to various concerns ranging from opioids to genetically-modified fish, but the vote yesterday means that there will be no more than 30 hours of debate over Califf’s hearing. halfwheel has learned a vote could take place within the next hour. Califf is a Duke-educated cardiologist who spent most of his career at Duke before joining FDA last year. He replaces Dr. Margaret Hamburg who announced her resignation last year after six years at the head of FDA. Dr. Stephen Ostroff has been in the role of acting commissioner since. This is of particular interest to cigar smokers because FDA is expected to announce its final ruling on the potential regulation of premium cigars and other unregulated tobacco products ...
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