FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Stephen Hahn, M.D., was confirmed as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in a 72-18 Senate vote on Thursday.
Hahn, 59, chief medical executive at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, replaces Scott Gottlieb, M.D., who left the position in the spring. Two acting commissioners have run the FDA since then, The New York Times reported.
One of the major challenges facing Hahn is the teen vaping epidemic and making a decision on a proposal to ban flavored electronic cigarettes.
In recent appearances before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Hahn dodged questions on whether he supports the proposed ban, saying only that he would base regulatory decisions on science, not politics, The Times reported.
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