The hard questions for Stephen Hahn 

The Trump administration has until Nov. 1 — this Friday — to formally nominate a new FDA commissioner. That means the Senate HELP Committee will soon hold a hearing probing the expected nominee, Stephen Hahn, for his take on everything FDA policy. That hearing will be more interesting that most ... because no one knows what the heck Hahn stands for. 

Unlike his predecessor, Scott Gottlieb, who had reams of public writings on every aspect of FDA policy, Hahn has kept a shockingly low profile, especially when it comes to policy issues. So, in advance of that hearing, STAT asked our favorite policy experts what they want to see asked. 

Here’s a few of our favorite potential questions:

• Do you think drug makers game the current system? Are drug prices too high?
• The FDA commissioner can play a key role in the prescription drug pricing debate, not only by setting administrative policy, but also as an advocate for legislative solutions to lower drug prices. Which current legislative proposals to lower drug prices will you advocate for? 
• Should opioid drug makers still be allowed to promote their drugs as treatments for chronic pain? Are you going to allow pharma companies to promote opioids for conditions that have not been proven safe and effective? 
• When you interviewed with President Trump for the commissioner position, what assurances did you give him regarding how you would approach the agency’s regulatory oversight of drugs, medical devices, tobacco products and other consumer products? What was his first question? 
• Do you believe the FDA can reject a tobacco product solely because there’s a history of young people using it? 

You can also expect Hahn to get some questions about the controversies that surrounded him during his time in the private sector. In fact, Restore Public Trust, an advocacy group frequently critical of Trump appointees, is already calling on Congress to question Hahn about those controversies. 

Not so sure what those controversies are? Read more in our recent profile, here.