A former FDA chief has the nation’s ear

Here's the latest news: U.K. crisis takes dramatic turn with Boris Johnson in ICU India partially lifts export ban on drug favored by Trump China faces a new virus threat from Russia border Our take on the latest developments Scott Gottlieb is no longer a member of the Trump administration, but he has emerged as a steady and reassuring voice on the pandemic even as the health experts who flank the president at times struggle to be heard. Gottlieb served as U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner for less than two years. But he's used his media savvy to keep his face on the airwaves and his name in the op-ed columns of major newspapers, where he's offered ideas for fighting the coronavirus and a roadmap for returning American life to some form of normal after the outbreak ebbs. Even the White House has looked to him for advice. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, at a Congressional hearing in 2018. Photographer: Toya Sarno Jordan/Bloomberg "I still have a lot of relationships with people in the administration, particularly the White House," Gottlieb said in an interview for Bloomberg's latest Prognosis Daily podcast. "And so I've still been in contact with them, trying to provide them advice. People have been calling me from the administration. So, I've been trying to give as good counsel as I can to folks there and I've been doing that for a couple of months now." His latest focus is getting the government to move faster to help the drug industry get a treatment to market, in what he sees as the most likely hope for Americans to be able to return to their routines. A vaccine isn't expected to be ready until next year. (Gottlieb serves on the board of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer). "We need to make some bets and try to figure out which ones look the most promising, which ones look like they could be safe and effective and try to accelerate their development," Gottlieb said, "try to put resources behind it, try to work hand in glove with the companies that are trying to bring those molecules through."  If he was betting on one drug to "change the contours of the infection" it would be an antibody treatment, Gottlieb said. He's less optimistic about the malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine—favorites of the president and some of his closest advisers.—Anna Edney Tune In Mental Health in the Time of Covid-19: Our Businessweek Town Hall is bringing together a panel of leading doctors to answer your questions about the stress and grief around coronavirus, fear of getting sick, and reactions to sudden job loss, volatile markets, and family disruption. Tune in Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. EDT on YouTube and on Facebook.  Map the outbreak around the world, and track Covid-19's spread in the U.S. Sponsor Content by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are enhancing access to care during the coronavirus outbreak by eliminating key costs for treatment and testing, waiving prior-authorization, expanding telehealth and increasing access to prescriptions.  Learn more.   What you should read The Post-Pandemic Urban Future Is Already Here Big revolutions in urban space were underway before Covid-19. New York Hospitals Hit 'Redline' Velocity Pace is unsustainable after thousands of beds added. Next Stimulus Round Will Be $1 Trillion: Pelosi More checks to people, small business loans needed, House leader says More Countries Look to Loosen Virus Curbs Italy and Norway may join Denmark, Austria on easing lockdowns. China's Corporates Gear Up for European M&A Italy, Spain among EU countries introducing new takeover rules. Know someone else who would like this newsletter?  Have them sign up here. Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story. Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Follow Us You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Coronavirus Daily newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022