Senators Discuss Emergency Contraception With Von Eschenbach
Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday met with acting FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach and said they still will place a hold on his confirmation until the agency makes a decision regarding Barr Laboratories' application for nonprescription sales of the emergency contraceptive Plan B for girls and women ages 17 and older, the AP/cbs11tv.com reports. President Bush earlier this month nominated von Eschenbach to permanently head the agency.
Murray and Rodham Clinton said they did not receive an update on Barr's application for nonprescription sales of Plan B -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse.
Murray said that von Eschenbach "gave us no status [on the application], and he couldn't give us any kind of timeline."
The date for von Eschenbach's Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing has not been set, according to Craig Orfield, a spokesperson for committee Chair Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.). Orfield also said that Enzi has asked the White House to settle the Plan B matter, according to the AP/cbs11tv.com (AP/cbs11tv.com, 3/28).