FDA Policy/General

Dr. Oz Emerges as Potential Successor to RFK Jr. at HHS, Report Says

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Mehmet Oz is increasingly viewed inside the Trump administration as the leading candidate to eventually succeed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary, according to a Bloomberg report that cites administration officials, lobbyists and people familiar with internal deliberations.

The report portrays Oz as one of President Donald Trump's most trusted advisers on health policy. According to Bloomberg, Trump frequently consults Oz on issues extending well beyond CMS, while the former heart surgeon has developed a reputation within the administration for translating the president's priorities into action.

Bloomberg says speculation about Kennedy's future has intensified amid management changes at HHS. The report notes that White House officials conducted a broad review of the department after concerns about Kennedy's management and internal disputes, particularly involving FDA. As part of those changes, CMS official Chris Klomp reportedly assumed greater responsibility for day-to-day operations across HHS, while Kennedy has focused more heavily on policy initiatives.

Neither the White House nor HHS has announced any plans for a leadership change, and Bloomberg contends that discussions about a potential succession remain speculative. The report says some administration officials believe any Cabinet reshuffling, if it occurs, would most likely take place after the 2026 midterm elections.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome