Thread by @sashachavkin

Today is the last day of @SGottliebFDA's very eventful two year tenure as FDA Commissioner. We've covered the FDA closely during that time for the #ImplantFiles, and I had a few thoughts on his departure...
nytimes.com/2019/04/04/hea…

For one thing, I was very glad to cover an agency that responded to investigative journalism by trying to fix the problems, rather than lashing out at the media. That kept the focus where it belongs - on the public interest & patient health and safety

There were also real shortcomings: Gottlieb promoted a rosy view of a deeply flawed medical device oversight system, sometimes touted reforms that were more spin than substance, and embraced a device industry agenda that wasn't always best for patients

https://twitter.com/sashachavkin/status/1108762153228664832

But @SGottliebFDA ran an agency that believed in science & evidence, was responsive to public concerns, and was tireless in pursuing its mission. Those values are under siege today, which makes this all the more impressive.

That legacy of evidence-based policy, public responsiveness and willingness to take action is what @NCIDirector will inherit - and can hopefully preserve and improve upon as he takes the reins of the agency
statnews.com/2019/03/12/ned…