Statement by Chip Davis, President and CEO, GPhA, Regarding the Senate HELP Vote on Dr. Robert Califf

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC — “The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) congratulates Dr. Robert Califf on the Senate HELP Committee voice vote in favor of his nomination to Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The incoming commissioner faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges as the pharmaceutical industry eagerly awaits clarity on biosimilars regulations and the agency’s progress on alleviating the generic drug application backlog, among other shared priorities. GPhA also welcomes a more collaborative approach to ensuring safe, effective and high quality manufacturing practices. The Association is pleased that FDA is taking more time to consider the numerous stakeholder concerns raised regarding the Proposed Rule on generic drug labeling. GPhA is eager to continue this discussion in order to ensure the FDA objective of more timely updates to safety information is accomplished in a manner that does not put patient safety at risk.

We look forward to working with Dr. Califf and the agency to expedite patient access to safe and effective generic drugs and biosimilars.”

About GPhA

GPhA represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals fill 88 percent of the prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. but consume just 28 percent of the total drug spending. Additional information is available at gphaonline.org. Follow us on twitter: @gpha.