Xavier Becerra has been confirmed as secretary of HHS

Image from the State of California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General

Xavier Becerra, the former attorney general of California, has been narrowly confirmed as the new secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services by a vote of 50 to 49. In response to the confirmation, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association released a statement congratulating the new secretary. The Association believes that Becerra will help advance consumer access to medicine, enhancing self-care and reducing strain on the healthcare system.

“Mr. Becerra has decades of experience working on important healthcare policy issues, both federally and in the state of California, and is taking the helm at an unprecedented time for healthcare in this country,” stated CHPA. “The global pandemic has underscored the critical role of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and consumer medical devices, in our nation’s healthcare system. Personal healthcare products have reduced demands on the healthcare system by allowing individuals and families to safely, conveniently, and cost-effectively manage many of their health issues at home without the need to visit their healthcare provider. Self-care can prevent sickness, while freeing up healthcare practitioners for more serious cases, reducing the risk of viral spread, and saving the healthcare system billions of dollars each year.

“CHPA was pleased to see Mr. Becerra’s submitted response to a Senate HELP Committee member’s question in which he stated his support of Rx-to-OTC switch for its cost-saving potential and his commitment to increasing consumer access to medicines that are currently only available with a prescription. CHPA and its member companies look forward to working with Mr. Becerra on important issues facing consumer healthcare and working on ways in which public policy can enhance self-care for consumers and our healthcare system.”