Senate Holds On Nomination Of Von Eschenbach As FDA Commissioner "Hypocritical," Editorial States

Main Category: Public Health News
Article Date: 27 Sep 2006 - 4:00am (PDT)
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A number of senators this year have sought to delay the confirmation of Andrew von Eschenbach as FDA commissioner until they receive action on certain issues "near and dear to a particular group" to which they are "beholden," a "political and hypocritical" practice, according to a Washington Times editorial (Washington Times, 9/24). The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last week approved the nomination of von Eschenbach, but potential holds to prevent a full Senate vote on the nomination remain. Wesley Denton, a press secretary for Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), has said that the senator would place a hold on the nomination without "immediate steps" to remove Mifeprex, a medical abortion medication manufactured by Danco Laboratories, from the market over potential safety concerns. In addition, 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 lower-cost prescription drugs from other nations (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 9/21). According to the editorial, "DeMint is contradicting the position he took in introducing a bill that would suspend" Mifeprex from the market until the Government Accountability Office reviewed the FDA approval of the medication. In addition, Vitter, who "now asserts he is promoting free trade," last year opposed a free trade agreement with Central America, the editorial states. The editorial concludes, "If leaders in the Senate cannot control their own people in support of public health and the FDA's stability, then President Bush should take action through a recess appointment" (Washington Times, 9/24).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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