▲ Heidi Overton, Nominated as FDA Commissioner
U.S. President Donald Trump nominated White House policy aide Heidi Overton as the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the 19th local time.
Making the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump introduced Dr. Overton as a "rock star" in the administration who has collaborated with the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies to deliver "the most transformative health agenda in history."
President Trump stated that the nominee Overton will work alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz to spearhead faster development of treatments, lower drug prices, and reform clinical trials.
He also expressed expectations that nominee Overton will swiftly implement the policy agenda of the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) campaign.
A physician by training, nominee Overton has led health policies for the second Trump administration as the Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.
The FDA, which regulates and oversees the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices, and food, had been vacant since former Commissioner Marty Makary stepped down last May.
Former Commissioner Makary resigned following a dispute with President Trump over the authorization of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes.
For nominee Overton to be officially appointed, she must undergo a confirmation hearing by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and receive Senate confirmation.
The Associated Press noted that nominee Overton faces the challenge of striking a balance among competing demands, including President Trump's policy directives, the Republican Party's deregulation stance, and Secretary Kennedy's anti-corporate positions.
In particular, given that the Trump administration has scaled back vaccine recommendations and appointed vaccine skeptics to key health agency positions, close attention is expected on what stance nominee Overton will take regarding the FDA's vaccine policies.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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