The FDA commissioner sweepstakes: Is Azar yearning to get out of Gottlieb’s shadow?

The only sure thing about the Trump administration is that nothing is a sure thing.

When Scott Gottlieb left the Food and Drug Administration last spring, it appeared that his interim replacement, Ned Sharpless, would likely succeed him as commissioner on a permanent basis.

After all, Sharpless checks a lot of boxes – physician, scientist, academic, biotech co-founder. He’s also headed the National Cancer Institute. Moreover, he was recommended by the politically astute Gottlieb, who won praise from President Trump as a “star,” suggesting his pick might be favored.

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