The Health and Human Services Department said Tuesday that Ned Sharpless, the director of the National Cancer Institute, will be acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Sharpless' background is in science — he's written more than 150 original papers and holds 10 patents, according to his official biography.
Why it matters: The FDA regulates about 25 cents of every dollar spent in the U.S., between food, cosmetics and prescription drugs. Sharpless will be stepping into the agency as it navigates a fresh controversy — outgoing Commissioner Scott Gottlieb's ambitious plan for regulating electronic cigarettes.
