Politics
HHS plans new FDA deputy commissioner roles for technology and drugs, sources say
The proposed leadership expansion comes amid agency turbulence and would establish dedicated oversight for artificial intelligence and pharmaceuticals.
The short version
- The Department of Health and Human Services is planning to establish two new deputy commissioner positions at the FDA focused on technology and drugs.
- The new technology role would oversee both internal agency AI tools and the regulation of AI-enabled medical devices.
- Jared Seehafer, a current senior advisor to the FDA, is reportedly the leading candidate for the technology position, though no final decisions have been formally announced.
Key facts
- HHS is planning to create two new FDA deputy commissioner roles covering technology and drugs.[CNBC]
- The technology deputy commissioner would manage the FDA's internal use of AI and its regulatory evaluation of AI-enabled products.[CNBC]
- FDA senior advisor Jared Seehafer is considered the leading candidate for the technology deputy commissioner position.[CNBC]
- The new positions would report to FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton, who awaits Senate confirmation.[CNBC]