Scott Gottlieb

Commissioner Gottlieb, National Press Club (26446040109)

Scott Gottlieb is an American physician and former government official who served as the 23rd Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from May 2017 to April 2019. Born on June 11, 1972, in East Brunswick, New Jersey, Gottlieb is a prominent figure in the fields of medicine, public health, and health policy. His tenure at the FDA was marked by efforts to streamline regulatory processes and address critical public health issues, including the opioid crisis and the regulation of tobacco and e-cigarettes.

Early Life and Education

Scott Gottlieb was raised in East Brunswick, New Jersey. He pursued his undergraduate education at Wesleyan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Following this, Gottlieb attended the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the Mount Sinai Hospital.

Career

Before his appointment as FDA Commissioner, Gottlieb had a diverse career spanning clinical practice, government service, and involvement in the private sector. He served in various capacities at the FDA during the George W. Bush administration, including as Deputy Commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs. Gottlieb also worked as a senior advisor to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), where he focused on improving healthcare quality and promoting the use of medical technologies.

Gottlieb has been a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, focusing on health policy studies. He has contributed to major publications and has been an advocate for a more flexible regulatory framework for the pharmaceutical industry to foster innovation while ensuring safety and efficacy.

Tenure as FDA Commissioner

As Commissioner of the FDA, Gottlieb implemented policies to combat the opioid epidemic, including efforts to reduce exposure to opioids and prevent new addictions. He advocated for the development of non-addictive pain treatments and the promotion of medication-assisted treatments (MAT) for those suffering from addiction.

Gottlieb also took significant steps in tobacco and e-cigarette regulation, aiming to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes to non-addictive levels and addressing the surge in e-cigarette use among youths. His approach to e-cigarettes was nuanced, recognizing their potential role in helping adult smokers quit while fighting to curb underage vaping.

Under his leadership, the FDA approved a record number of generic drugs, aiming to increase market competition and lower drug prices. Gottlieb also prioritized the modernization of the drug and medical device approval processes to make them more efficient without compromising safety standards.

Post-FDA Career

After leaving the FDA, Scott Gottlieb returned to the American Enterprise Institute as a fellow. He has remained an influential voice in public health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering guidance and analysis on the response to the crisis. Gottlieb serves on the board of directors for Pfizer and is involved in various health-related initiatives.

Legacy

Scott Gottlieb's tenure as FDA Commissioner is viewed as a period of significant change, with a focus on addressing some of the most pressing public health issues of the time. His efforts to balance regulatory oversight with the need for innovation in the healthcare sector have left a lasting impact on the agency and the broader health policy landscape.