Califf presided over FDA approval of Oxycodone use in children as young as 11, and high-dose hydrocodone drugs, and also the drug Addyl that was later recalled, among several others. For each of these approvals, the FDA overrode its own advisory committee of experts, and Califf gave his approval. Califf founded a group to do clinical trials, and more than half of his $230 million funding came from... Big Pharma. Almost done. Califf was also paid as a consultant by the 15 biggest Pharma companies. And finally, sure, he was a cheerleader for Vioxx. So of course he’s Commissioner of the FDA.
