Head of FDA Quits

[dr_mabeuse]

Lester Crawford, Head of the Food & Drug Administration has unexpectedly resigned at age 67.

Several weeks ago at least one top FDA scientist resigned in protest over Crawford's refusal to give the green light to over-the-counter sales of a morning-after contraceptive despite extensive scientific evidence of the drug's safety and efficacy. Crawford's decision to withhold approval was seen as politically motivated rather than based on science and sparked widepread protests in the scientific community.

Not to badmouth Crawford, but he was a veterinerian whose expertise was in food safety appointed to guard the nation's food processing plants against terrorists. The head of the FDA has traditionally been an M.D., and when I was active in the field, an M.D. with a law degree as well. It's a very powerful position.

Crawford was also criticized for being in bed with the drug indistry. There's evidence that the trouble with Vioxx was known and ignored before the drug was withdrawn.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050923/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/fda_commissioner_resigns

 

[CharleyH]

Lester Crawford, Head of the Food & Drug Administration has unexpectedly resigned at age 67.

Several weeks ago at least one top FDA scientist resigned in protest over Crawford's refusal to give the green light to over-the-counter sales of a morning-after contraceptive despite extensive scientific evidence of the drug's safety and efficacy. Crawford's decision to withhold approval was seen as politically motivated rather than based on science and sparked widepread protests in the scientific community.

Not to badmouth Crawford, but he was a veterinerian whose expertise was in food safety appointed to guard the nation's food processing plants against terrorists. The head of the FDA has traditionally been an M.D., and when I was active in the field, an M.D. with a law degree as well. It's a very powerful position.

Crawford was also criticized for being in bed with the drug indistry. There's evidence that the trouble with Vioxx was known and ignored before the drug was withdrawn.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050923/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/fda_commissioner_resigns

LOL Who isn't in bed with someone in this sorry assed world? LOL I get where you are coming from, but I thought 65 was a mandatory retirement, except maybe for Popes?

 

[cantdog]

FDA no longer protects us from poisons, and no longer shuts down scams in their advertising. It is perceived as an unwelcome manifestation of "government regulation" and anti business. And it is, if by "business" we intend "unbridled hucksterism." The corporation parties frequently appoint to FDA someone totally out of sympathy with its mission. Same with the secretaries of Labor. The FEMA head, recently deposed, was one such, an appointment from the opposition. This should surprise no one.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Mind you, at least the major pharmecutical companies still have to get into the bed. Thanks to DSHEA (passed in 1994), those marketing their products as "supplements" or homeopathic remedies have the ultimate free rein. Of course it's never been required that homeopathic preparations supply proof that they work, but thanks to DSHEA they and "supplements" don't even have to prove that they are safe. Instead, the FDA has to prove that they are dangerous. What a clever way to force the government to pay all research costs while happily reaping profits until they do.

Shanglan

 

[cantdog]

I know. All these supplements. Herbal remedies can be, of course, both effective and powerful. But in the FDA universe, you can sell rat poop and ashes and call them herbal preparations without repercussion.