In interviews with “The Pink Sheet,” the last half-dozen FDA commissioners discuss crafting policy on Capitol Hill, building start-up biotechs, consulting and serving on industry boards.

Hamburg’s departure from commissioner post seems to be proceeding smoothly; proposals in 21^st Century Cures bill would mandate a similar process always be followed.

Margaret Hamburg’s public health, as opposed to academic medicine, background was off-putting to some in pharma initially, but she’ll leave the agency in March with high drug approval numbers and significant praise for new initiatives such as the breakthrough therapy program.