Trump nominates renowned cancer doctor Stephen Hahn for FDA commissioner

President Trump on Friday nominated Texas cancer doctor Stephen Hahn to be the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner.

Hahn is currently chief medical executive at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, one of the country’s leading sites for cancer treatment.

If confirmed, Hahn will be stepping into a political battle over regulation of e-cigarettes. The Trump administration is reportedly considering backing away from proposed bans on mint and menthol flavored e-cigarettes.

{mosads}Brett Giroir, the current assistant secretary for health, will become the acting FDA commissioner while the Senate considers Hahn’s nomination.

Ned Sharpless, who has been acting FDA commissioner in recent months, will return to the National Cancer Institute.

Trump’s first FDA commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, was one of the few Trump administration officials who received some praise from Democrats for his push for e-cigarette regulation and approval of more generic drugs in an effort to lower drug prices. 

Lowering drug prices is a top priority for Trump, but an area in which Democrats have criticized the administration for not following through on its rhetoric. 

Drug prices and e-cigarette regulation will both provide ample areas for senators to press Hahn at his confirmation hearing.