News Published on 21 May, 2009
Peggy Hamburg is new FDA commissioner
Filed by Geoff Platt
Dr Margaret ‘Peggy’ Hamburg has been named as the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner after her nomination was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate.
“Dr Hamburg is an inspiring public health leader with broad experience in infectious disease, bioterrorism and health policy,” said health and human services secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, following the announcement. “Her expertise and judgment will serve FDA well.”
Sebelius also praised acting commissioner and principal deputy, Josh Sharfstein, and the career professionals who serve at the FDA for their hard work and dedication.
“Josh and the employees at the FDA have worked diligently to protect the American people,” she said. “Time and again, they’ve demonstrated their professionalism and commitment to ensuring the food we eat and the medicines and products we use are safe.”
Dr Hamburg is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in public health and medicine, and an authority on global health, public health systems, infectious disease, bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. She served as the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s founding vice president for the biological programme.
Before joining NTI, she was the assistant secretary for Planning and Evaluation, US Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to this, she served for six years as the commissioner of health for the city of New York, and as the assistant director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services