US FDA Credibility: Surprisingly Strong, Despite Everything

A Senate Health Committee update hearing on the COVID-19 federal response was noteworthy primarily for demonstrating that FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn appears to have salvaged the agency’s position as a voice of credibility with a key political constituency – at least for now.

FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn with mask at HELP hearing on 23 September 2020
US FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn waits to testify at the Senate HELP hearing on 23 September 2020.

The headlines following a 23 September hearing featuring US Food & Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn certainly are not the type of thing that breeds confidence.

Just hours after Hahn testified about FDA’s commitment to rigorous scientific standards in the review of potential COVID-19 vaccine candidates, President Trump undercut the message with the suggestion that the White House might reject the agency’s own unpublished guidance for sponsors seeking an Emergency Use Authorization for a vaccine

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