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# Markey, Brown Oppose Gottlieb Nomination
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/markey-brown-oppose-gottlieb-nomination/
- Published: 2017-04-04T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T22:15:38.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5138366

Sens. **Ed Markey** (D-MA) and **Sherrod Brown** (D-OH) say they oppose the nomination of **Scott Gottlieb** to be FDA commissioner because he is too close to drug companies to be effective in fighting the nation’s opioid epidemic. In a news conference, Markey said the record shows that Gottlieb doesn’t support using all the tools FDA has available to combat opioid abuse. He charged that the nation’s opioid epidemic was created by “greedy” drug companies aided by FDA.

According to Markey, Gottlieb has openly questioned the value of Drug Enforcement Administration actions against doctors and pharmacists aimed at preventing prescription opioids from entering the illegal market. He charged that Gottlieb wants such activities transferred to FDA and then would relax them, “leaving a mostly unregulated marketplace.” He also said Gottlieb has opposed REMS for opioids.

Brown said Gottlieb was “exceptional” among FDA recent commissioner nominees for the depth of industry connections and conflicts that he has. He said that the nominee’s record shows that he does not take the opioid problem seriously enough and that he would be willing to allow drugs on the market before their safety has been established. “We need a leader at FDA who will step up the agency’s efforts to fight the addiction epidemic that is tearing families and communities apart — not one who will roll over for his Big Pharma friends,” Brown declared.

Also at the news conference were Andrew Kolodny, executive director of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, and Michael Carome, Public Citizen Health Research Group director.

Kolodny says the nation has been setting new records for overdose deaths each year in the last several years and “much more needs to be done.” He said the Centers for Disease Control has shown that the sharp increase in opioid prescribing is reflected in a parallel increase in illegal drugs. “FDA has ignored pleas to restrict prescribing and has approved new opioids,” he said. “Our country needs an FDA commissioner who will take on the powerful opioid lobby, not one who will work for it.” He said FDA should prohibit drug companies from promoting opioid prescribing, institute an upper dose limit, and revise opioid labeling to encourage less prescribing.

Carome referenced President **Donald Trump**’s meeting with drug company executives shortly after his inauguration at which he promised to greatly reduce FDA regulations affecting them, and said that Gottlieb is “well-suited to carry out the president’s reckless plan.” He noted Gottlieb’s role on several drug company boards of directors and his consulting and speaking income of more than $400,000 in recent years from companies he would regulate.

Although Gottlieb has pledged to recuse himself for a year from agency decisions involving some 20 companies with which he has had a connection, Carome said, that is not enough. “He will still be involved in broad policy decisions that affect the companies,” he said.

Asked how much opposition to Gottlieb there is in Congress, Markey said that many senators have expressed questions and concerns. He said he is talking to senators daily, particularly about the opioid crisis. “I can report there is a lot of concern and this will be a highly controversial nominee,” he said.