Chicago Tribune Examines How Debate Over EC, Abortion Affecting FDA Leadership

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 05 May 2005 - 8:00 PDT

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The Chicago Tribune on Wednesday examined how FDA has been without a permanent leader for more than a year in large part because of debate over the emergency contraceptive Plan B. Lester Crawford, President Bush's nominee for FDA commissioner, has become "entangled in the fight" over whether Plan B should be approved for sale without a doctor's prescription, according to the... Tribune. Although Crawford currently serves as the agency's acting commissioner, his nomination is being blocked by Sens. Hilary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who are "angry about FDA delays in deciding the status" of Plan B, which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse. FDA's "current limbo" also reflects the "sensitivity of the post, with abortion and related issues buffeting the agency," the Tribune reports. "FDA has become one of, if not the most, difficult agencies to staff," Paul Light, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said, adding, "Democrats oppose anyone with ties to the pharmaceutical industry, and Republicans oppose anyone who has shown even the slightest tolerance for the morning-after pill or other contraceptives" (Withers, Chicago Tribune, 5/4). The complete article is available online.

Chicago Tribune

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