Califf Clears First Senate Hurdle, But Could FDA’s Abortion Pill Access Decision Be A Headache?

Robert Califf’s nomination to be the next US FDA commissioner squeaked out of the Senate health committee, but a significant number of Republicans are against his confirmation over the agency’s recent decisions on abortion drugs.

Former US FDA Commissioner Robert Califf testified on 14 December, 2021, before the US Senate HELP committee in his bid to lead the agency again — Former US FDA Commissioner Robert Califf testified before the US Senate HELP committee on 14 December in his bid to lead the agency again • Source: Alamy

The US Senate Health, Energy, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee voted 13-8 on 13 January to advance Robert Califf’s nomination to lead the US Food and Drug Administration. The close vote sharply contrasted with his unanimous vote when he was nominated to lead the agency under President Barack Obama in 2016 and is indicative of a much tougher fight he is likely to face on the Senate floor.

A key stumbling block appears to be the FDA’s recent decision to make it easier for people to access the...