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# Politics Shouldn’t Block Califf: Column
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/politics-shouldnt-block-califf-column/
- Published: 2022-01-05T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T17:27:29.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5150870

A *Stat* opinion column written by Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons psychiatry department chair **Jeffrey Lieberman** criticizes Democrats who have expressed concerns about the nomination of **Robert Califf**as FDA commissioner. The [column](https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/05/the-case-for-califf/?ref=fdaweb.com) specifically cites Sens. **Bernie Sanders** (I-VT), **Elizabeth Warren** (D-MA), and **Joe Manchin** (D-WV) for their “friendly fire” expressing concern about Califf’s past involvement with the drug industry.

“These concerns are unwarranted and show a disturbing lack of understanding and knowledge of the experience needed in drug development and clinical research to lead the nation’s leading regulatory agency for therapeutics,” Lieberman writes.

Lieberman says he has personal knowledge and professional experience with Califf from his time on the University of North Carolina School of Medicine faculty while Califf was leading Duke University’s Clinical Research Institute. Lieberman also interacted with Califf during the time Califf was FDA commissioner in the Obama administration and Lieberman was president of the American Psychiatric Association.

The article challenges Manchin’s assertion that Califf’s nomination insults the families and individuals whose lives have been changed by the opioid epidemic. It notes that Califf had no direct involvement with any opioid manufacturer or connection to the crisis other than as one of nine FDA commissioners in the 30 years in which drug approvals and marketing practices gave rise to the opioid crisis.

According to Lieberman, Califf’s experience in many areas and challenges facing FDA “make him the best person to helm FDA now and possibly be the best-qualified candidate in the agency’s history. If Congress fails to confirm Califf, it will be depriving FDA and the country of the best person at a most critical time.”