Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7134

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Publication type: news

Watts WL.
Senate confirms von Eschenbach: Bush choice to head FDA finally gets Senate nod
Market Watch 2006 Dec 7
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BCB5DA30A%2DE399%2D4603%2D87B5%2D81783D52E1AA%7D&source=blq%2Fyhoo&dist=yhoo&siteid=yhoo

Abstract:

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — President Bush’s choice to become the next head of the Food and Drug Administration won a long-sought confirmation vote in the Senate Thursday.
The Senate voted 80-11 to confirm Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach as commissioner of the powerful regulatory agency, which oversees the drug industry, cosmetics and portions of the nation’s food supply.
A cancer expert, von Eschenbach has served as acting director of the agency since last year. Bush tapped him earlier this year to become the agency’s official chief. But the nomination was blocked by objections from a handful of senators. Earlier Thursday, the Senate voted to end debate on the nomination, effectively end-running the objections.
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., previously announced he would lift his hold, but wouldn’t support the nomination. DeMint has criticized the agency and von Eschenbach for not working to ban RU-486, an abortion pill.
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., had also sought to block action on the nominee, blasting the administration for not taking steps to allow the importation of prescription drugs.
The most vociferous opposition came from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who charged that von Eschenbach has discouraged agency whistleblowers and has refused to cooperate with congressional inquiries, including subpoenas issued regarding Sanofi-Aventis’ (SNY : sanofi aventis sponsored adr
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4:00pm 12/19/2006

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“In good conscience, I placed a hold on this nomination and I will not vote in favor of him today,” Grassley said in remarks prepared for delivery on the Senate floor. “A vote for this nominee would be an endorsement of the stonewalling and disrespect he has shown for congressional oversight.”
Von Eschenbach’s backers praised him as a celebrated physician who would base policy decisions on sound science.
“Dr. von Eschenbach has a strong record. He is an accomplished scientist, a proven manager, and a man with vision,” said Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., the chairman of the Senate health committee. “He is also a cancer survivor, and he has brought that perspective — and the compassion that goes with it – to his government service.”
“It is long past time to remove the word “acting” from the title of commissioner, and give the FDA the full leadership it needs to confront the challenges ahead,” said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who is in line to chair the health panel next year when the Democrats formally take control of the Senate.