Monica Bertagnolli, a renowned surgical oncologist and the 16th director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), has been confirmed as the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, her confirmation was not without controversy, with Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman voicing concerns about her willingness to confront pharmaceutical companies over high drug costs.
Bertagnolli, who previously worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, has a distinguished career in oncology. She served as the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and has been an advocate for the inclusion of rural communities in clinical studies. Her expertise lies in the treatment of tumors from gastrointestinal diseases and soft tissue sarcomas.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Bertagnolli has held several leadership roles in the medical field. She is the former President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and was elected Fellow of the National Academy of Medicine in 2021. Before her appointment to lead the NCI, she served as Chair of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.
Despite these credentials, Bertagnolli’s nomination by President Biden in 2023 faced opposition. Senator Fetterman expressed doubts about her commitment to challenging the pharmaceutical industry over the high cost of drugs, a significant issue affecting many Americans.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Fetterman said, “Right now, we are facing a crisis in this country. Big Pharma is ripping off the American people and forcing them to pay thousands of dollars for medicine that they need to survive. It’s a disgrace. We need a NIH Director who is committed to these goals and is ready to take on the industry.”
He continued, expressing his reservations about Bertagnolli’s nomination, “While I believe that Dr. Bertagnolli is highly qualified to serve in this role, I’m not convinced that she will take on Big Pharma — and for that reason, I will vote against her confirmation.”
The confirmation of Bertagnolli as NIH Director marks a significant milestone in her career. However, it also underscores the ongoing debate about the cost of drugs in America and the role of the NIH in addressing this issue. With her new role, Bertagnolli carries the hopes and concerns of many regarding the future direction of the NIH and its stance toward pharmaceutical companies.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.