Government
FDA chief steps down
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 10, 2005
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Lester Crawford, DVM, unexpectedly resigned in late September, less than three months after receiving a long-awaited confirmation vote from the Senate.
Dr. Crawford, 67, gave few reasons for the departure other than to cite his more than three years at the agency and his age. Several lawmakers critical of the FDA for recent decisions on drug approvals and safety issues said they welcome the opportunity to redirect the agency under a new leader.
The White House immediately named Andrew von Eschenbach, MD, as acting commissioner. A urological surgeon from Houston, Dr. von Eschenbach is director of the National Cancer Institute. Bush administration officials declined to say whether the president would consider nominating the temporary chief to the full post.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/10/10/gvbf1010.htm.
