WASHINGTON — The American Medical Association (AMA) presented FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. with the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.

As FDA Commissioner, Dr. Gottlieb has spearheaded an effort to rein in drug prices by encouraging competition. He has also worked to address the opioid epidemic by encouraging the development of non-opioid pain medications, and developing better treatments for opioid use disorder. Dr. Gottlieb has also been an ally in the fight against harmful tobacco products and nicotine addiction. Under his leadership, the FDA announced it was considering a move toward a product standard to reduce the nicotine level in cigarettes to non-addictive levels and has also taken steps to confront the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use.

“A physician, medical policy expert, and public health advocate, Dr. Gottlieb has been a leader in confronting the challenges our health system faces today,” said AMA Board Chair Jack Resneck, Jr., M.D. “He has taken decisive action to confront the opioid epidemic, taken on pharmaceutical companies charging high drug prices, and is working to address nicotine addiction and limit youth use of e-cigarettes. As a physician and in public service, Dr. Gottlieb has devoted his career to the betterment of public health and tackling the challenges facing the health system.”

Dr. Gottlieb is one of eight honorees chosen this year to receive the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service. The award, named after the founding father of the AMA, recognizes elected and career officials in federal, state or municipal service whose outstanding contributions have promoted the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

Dr. Gottlieb is a graduate of Wesleyan University, and Mount Sinai Medical School. The AMA presented Dr. Gottlieb the Dr. Nathan Davis Award last night at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. as part of the AMA’s National Advocacy Conference.