An article in the Times today (May 7, 2009) suggests that Margaret Hamburg is expected to be confirmed as the new FDA commissioner. I think this might be good news for the e-cigarette. Dr. Hamburg was a strong, intelligent, clear-thinking public health advocate in NY and, serving as Health Commissioner for New York City, was the one of the major forces pushing for a needle exchange program to help control HIV transmission in the city. This is a true harm-reduction approach, much like the e-cigarette. I hope she is perceptive about the e-cigarette and able to withstand the political and economic pressures at the FDA. I think it might be time to start approaching her on our issue. She was very responsive to input from HIV prevention people in NY on the needle exchange approach.
NY Times- Margaret Hamburg new FDA commissioner?
- Thread starter Wally
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Wally, we must think alike. In fact, I posted something very similar on March 14 when I first heard about her nomination. 
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/law-e-cigarette/8717-hopeful-news-fda-front.html#post134431
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/law-e-cigarette/8717-hopeful-news-fda-front.html#post134431
Wally, we must think alike. In fact, I posted something very similar on March 14 when I first heard about her nomination.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/law-e-cigarette/8717-hopeful-news-fda-front.html#post134431
Yvilla- Sorry, I didn't see this. This is important, I think. Wally
Could we get an email address from her and maybe start a campaign telling her our stories? Might help.
Wally, I wasn't complaining - I think it's important too, and was glad to see you were thinking along the same lines.
And Idahojo, I think attempts to contact her directly would be a good idea, especially given her prior harm reduction approach to HIV/intravenous drug use while NYC Health Commissioner. Actually, I've been wondering if people like Dr. Nitzkin or Bill Godshall also have that in mind, and hope they do.
The naive part of my brain says that this could be good, but the realist part of my brain says money and greed can easily change ones principles.
Here is a comforting bit of information from the nomination hearings of Dr. Margaret Hamburg for Commissioner of the FDA on 7 May 2009. Senator Enzi, Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, expressed concern about a bill to require FDA to regulate tobacco, which the HELP Committee plans to mark up next week.
Dr. Hamburg replied, “FDA approves cures, not poisons. Pending legislation would require FDA to regulate tobacco, a product with no health benefits, but with deadly risks. Wouldn’t it send a poor public health message to have an implied FDA seal of approval on a deadly product?" and “FDA resources are already stretched too thin – I have serious concerns about adding tobacco to the list of products the agency must regulate."
Enzi eded by saying, “I want to thank Dr. Hamburg for her previous public service and her willingness to serve again,” Enzi said. “I look forward to working with her, if she is confirmed, to protect and promote the public health, and to restore FDA’s status as the gold standard for regulatory agencies.”
Dr. Hamburg replied, “FDA approves cures, not poisons. Pending legislation would require FDA to regulate tobacco, a product with no health benefits, but with deadly risks. Wouldn’t it send a poor public health message to have an implied FDA seal of approval on a deadly product?" and “FDA resources are already stretched too thin – I have serious concerns about adding tobacco to the list of products the agency must regulate."
Enzi eded by saying, “I want to thank Dr. Hamburg for her previous public service and her willingness to serve again,” Enzi said. “I look forward to working with her, if she is confirmed, to protect and promote the public health, and to restore FDA’s status as the gold standard for regulatory agencies.”
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