PSM Applauds FDA Commissioner Hamburg for Outstanding Service

On behalf of the Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM), we would like to thank Dr. Hamburg for her outstanding service to our country as the Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the past six years.

Washington, D.C. (February 5, 2014) – Scott LaGanga, Executive Director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, issued the following statement on the announced departure of Dr. Margaret Hamburg as Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration:

“On behalf of the Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM), we would like to thank Dr. Hamburg for her outstanding service to our country as the Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the past six years. Her departure marks a great loss for the FDA, as her strong track record as a champion of sound, science-based medicine has greatly improved health outcomes for millions of Americans.

“Additionally, PSM is incredibly appreciative of Commissioner Hamburg’s tireless commitment to safe medicines, which has placed the U.S. at the forefront of the global fight against counterfeits. Under her tenure, the FDA established the BeSafeRX Campaign in 2012 to educate Americans about the risks of buying prescription medications from fake online pharmacies. PSM was also honored to have Commissioner Hamburg twice serve as the keynote speaker for its annual Interchange Conference. Her commitment to patient safety from the beginning of her stewardship of the FDA has helped build a solid foundation that we hope her successor will build upon and enhance.

“While there is still much work to be done to eliminate counterfeits, patients in the U.S. and around the world have benefitted greatly from Commissioner Hamburg’s service. We wish her the utmost success in her future endeavors and look forward to working closely with the next FDA Commissioner.”