FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg Will Resign In March
By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online
After six years at the top, Margaret Hamburg will voluntarily step down, leaving the FDA much better off than it was when she took on the monstrous job
According to Time magazine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the “most powerful regulatory agency in the world.” When looking at the scope of the FDA’s purview, that is a hard case to argue against. Regulating everything from food safety to medical devices to drugs, the nation’s blood supply and tobacco, the FDA’s reach affects each and every American and billions around the world.
Though taking over the agency at a difficult time, Margaret Hamburg has withstood the negative press and has risen to one of respect through her agile fortification of a faltering agency. It’s not surprising that she was named one of the world’s most powerful women in politics by Forbes last year.
Dr. Hamburg was well-prepared to take on this leadership role; at least as prepared as anyone can possibly be when stepping into such a high-profile and difficult position. Educated at Harvard University, she once served as a senior scientist at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), just down the street from the White House. She also served as the commissioner of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In addition to her wealth of experience, Hamburg brought with her a determination and commitment to public service.
Many say that the FDA is at a turning point, and that this is a bad time for Hamburg to tender her resignation. That is, in fact, true. However, when is there ever a good time for an exceptional leader to leave? She will be sorely missed, but let’s speak of her many accomplishments. She is not leaving a sinking ship, but has elevated the flagging reputation of the FDA, possibly to an all-time high. She has tirelessly given her time and expertise to a job that requires due diligence 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hamburg’s resignation will be effective in March.
Her successor, for the time, will be Dr. Stephen Ostroff, the FDA’s Chief Scientist, but only until a new commissioner is named. The new commissioner is being speculated upon. He or she will have to have unimpeachable scientific qualifications and must be a person who will warrant bipartisan backing. Obama’s nominee will have to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.