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# Biden Pivoting on Commissioner Frontrunners
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/biden-pivoting-on-commissioner-frontrunners/
- Published: 2021-02-25T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:48:27.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5148755

It's five weeks into the Biden presidency and the administration has not yet settled on a pick for FDA commissioner, which apparently does not bode well for the two frontrunners — acting commissioner **Janet Woodcock** and former FDA principal deputy commissioner **Joshua Sharfstein**. The commissioner nomination would seem important, especially during the pandemic, but now several media outlets are reporting that both contenders are likely out of the picture.

Some lawmakers reportedly are not rallying behind Woodcock and her more than 25 years leading the drug Center at FDA due to her presiding over one of the worst regulatory agency failures in U.S. history, the opioid crisis. While under consideration, Woodcock’s reputation has endured criticism for approving Sarepta Therapeutics’ Exondys 51 for Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy by overruling staff and an advisory committee, and delaying authorization for the Plan B emergency contraceptive because, she said, access to the drug would lead to extreme promiscuity among adolescents.

The pivot away from Sharfstein follows criticism from patient advocacy organizations and industry about a lack of experience. Critics are urging a strong leader to repair the agency’s morale and credibility after political interference reached unprecedented levels during the Trump Administration.

The FDA post is one of the most important health-related positions currently without a formal nominee in the new administration. It is more than likely that Biden and his team will select an FDA commissioner nominee after his HHS secretary is sworn in. Earlier this week, president Biden’s choice for the cabinet position, California attorney general **Xavier Becerra**, began the formal process with two Senate confirmation hearings. If Becerra’s nomination goes through as planned, he could be sworn in as early as next week, and the FDA top post will most likely be a top priority.