The Baltimore Sun reports that lawmakers – both Republican and Democratic – are pushing the Bush administration to appoint a full-time commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), noting that “the FDA's top post has seen no fewer than four interim commissioners over all but 18 months of the Bush presidency.”
The Sun writes that the legislators believe that “a permanent leader…would be more focused on long-term strategic planning and could help the FDA gain more funding from Congress for prompt approval of new drugs and medical devices.”
Some critics say that the Bush administration is not highly engaged in food and drug regulatory issues and doesn’t want yet another confirmation fight with Congressional Democrats. However, the White House says that it is interviewing potential commissioners and could name someone to the post any day.
The Sun writes that the legislators believe that “a permanent leader…would be more focused on long-term strategic planning and could help the FDA gain more funding from Congress for prompt approval of new drugs and medical devices.”
Some critics say that the Bush administration is not highly engaged in food and drug regulatory issues and doesn’t want yet another confirmation fight with Congressional Democrats. However, the White House says that it is interviewing potential commissioners and could name someone to the post any day.
- KC's View:
