NIH Nominee Pledges Not to Seek Pharmaceutical Compensation

Monica Bertagnolli, MD, President Biden’s nominee to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently pledged to not seek employment or compensation from any of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies for four years once she leaves the government. Dr. Bertagnolli’s nomination for NIH Director was announced in May and has not yet been raised to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) for review. The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) previously joined 115 organizations in a letter of support of the nomination of Dr. Bertagnolli to lead the NIH.

Dr. Bertagnolli’s agreement to not seek employment or compensation from pharmaceutical companies may show progress in her currently stalled nomination process. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who held concerns about the nomination, now says she will support Dr. Bertagnolli’s nomination. Previously, Sen. Bernie Sanders, the HELP Committee Chair, stated he would not progress with the nomination pending the Biden administration’s drug pricing negotiations. There has not been an update on the status of Sen. Sander’s considerations nor an announcement of when the Senate will move forward with the nomination.

For more information, contact Katie Grady, ACR Government Affairs Director.