Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., submitted his resignation. He has plans to leave FDA within the next month, the Department of Health and Human Services announced.

Gottlieb mentioned in a letter posted online that his decision was the result of the challenge of being apart from his wife and young children. He wrote that many vital efforts were undertaken together, countless new policies were advanced, and laws enforced with vigor to protect consumers. Over the coming weeks he will continue to work to cement more of these efforts, to secure 2020 budget, and he will help the agency to transition to new leadership.

Under the leadership of Gottlieb, the agency has taken on the implementation of the new Right to Try law and sought to address high prescription drug prices. HHS Administrator Alex Azar also lauded Gottlieb for his contributions to the efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and steps to combat teen vaping.

Opioid addiction engagement solutions need to be implemented in future. Azar also said that the public health of the country is better off for the work Scott and the entire FDA team have carried out in the last two years.

Reference: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals-health-systems/reports-fda-chief-scott-gottlieb-resigning