Rick Blumberg, Deputy Chief Counsel for Litigation and 42-Year FDA Veteran, Passes Away

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Chief Counsel for Litigation Eric "Rick" Blumberg, a 42-year veteran of the agency, has passed away, agency officials said.

Blumberg started at FDA in 1970 in the Office of the Chief Counsel, and has served as Deputy Chief Counsel since 1991, according to a profile of him maintained by the Federalist Society, a prominent Washington legal society.

Blumberg's position afforded wide oversight over FDA's enforcement activities and litigation against the agency.

In a statement provided to Regulatory Focus on 7 March 2013, Liz Dickinson, Chief Counsel at FDA, said Blumberg would be remembered not only for his contributions to FDA and the public, but for his character as well.

"Rick's dedication to the agency over a 42-year career, and to the effective use of the law to protect the public, was widely recognized," said Dickinson. "Fearless, kind-hearted and brilliant, he nurtured the careers of dozens of food and drug lawyers who carry on his legacy in the government and beyond."

"We all will miss him immensely."