US FDA head gives up cancer duties after criticism
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National Cancer Institute Director Andrew von Eschenbach will give up his daily duties there to focus on his new job as acting Food and Drug Administration commissioner, he told FDA staff on Friday.
Von Eschenbach also said he will recuse himself from certain FDA business that involves NCI research.
Critics had said Von Eschenbach could not perform both jobs well, and that he could face a conflict of interest when dealing with NCI matters before the FDA.
“I am now devoting my energies to the work of FDA in protecting and advancing the health of the American people, ” Von Eschenbach said in an e-mail to staff.
John Niederhuber, a surgical oncologist and former director of the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center recently named a deputy at NCI, will serve as NCI’s chief operating officer and manage day-to-day operations, Von Eschenbach said.
President George W. Bush appointed Von Eschenbach acting FDA chief after the sudden departure on September 23 of Commissioner Lester Crawford.
Von Eschenbach said he will not participate in FDA reviews of drugs researched at NCI, FDA oversight of potential side effects seen in NCI-sponsored studies or “other matters involving NCI as a party in which FDA is exercising its regulatory authority.”
Sen. Edward Kennedy said the change announced Friday “does not go far enough” to alleviate concerns that both agencies need permanent, full-time leaders.
“This arrangement means that key health priorities important to the American people will lose out - either drug safety or cancer research or both,” the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement.
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