Senators Oppose Confirmation of FDA Nominee
Two senators said they would block the nomination of acting FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach to permanently head the agency unless concerns about reimportation of prescription drugs and a medication to cause abortion are addressed, the New York Times reports.
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) has said he would place a hold on the nomination until the Bush administration allows U.S. residents to purchase U.S.-made prescription drugs from abroad.
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) plans to place a hold on von Eschenbach's confirmation unless "immediate steps" are taken to remove the medical abortion drug Mifeprex from the market, DeMint press secretary Wesley Denton said recently.
According to the Times, FDA is unlikely to make any "substantive moves" in regard to either DeMint's or Vitter's requests.
Susan Bro, senior communications adviser at FDA, said, "We're certain both the Senate and FDA are in mutual agreement that what's critical to ensuring the best interest of all Americans is permanent leadership at the FDA" (Harris, New York Times, 9/15).