New Acting Head of FDA Steps Down as Head of the National Cancer Institute

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Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 01 Oct 2005 - 15:00 PDT

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The new acting head of the FDA, Andrew von Eschenbach, is stepping down as head of the National Cancer Institute after intense pressure from members of Congress. He was urged to give up one of the roles as there may have been a conflict of interest. Andrew von Eschenbach took over as acting head of the FDA after the abrupt resignation of Lester Crawford.

Andrew von Eschenbach is a family friend of the Bush family.

Often the cancer institute makes requests to the FDA to carry out tests of trial drugs on humans. It would be difficult for the head of the Cancer Institute to also be head of an agency which either approves or turns down requests for drug trials. The National Cancer Institute has many projects which are funded by the pharmaceutical industry - the success or failure of these projects are closely related to FDA decisions.

Andrew von Eschenbach has often said he would like to see faster drug approvals. The FDA has recently been heavily criticized for approving drugs too quickly - many drugs then had to be taken off the market because of safety worries.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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