Bush Taps Crawford to Run FDA

[Roland99]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7624478
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Monday nominated Lester Crawford to serve as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, an agency that oversees pharmaceuticals, medical devices, most foods and other products.

<...>

The FDA is under fire over a series of drug safety controversies. Critics say the agency does not adequately monitor side effects from drugs after they are approved.

Crawford is a veterinarian and food policy expert with a doctorate in pharmacology. His nomination must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Crawford has run the FDA since the departure of Mark McClellan, who moved to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in March 2004. Crawford also served as acting FDA commissioner from February to November 2002.

[AuntiBush]

1. Boy, he just can't seem to stay away from anything "Crawford!"

Thieving bast$rds!

[Roland99]

2. I just want to know what Crawford's link is to big business

esp. drug companies.

[xxqqqzme]

3. as do I

U know there is a link - U just know it - yellow rogue is soooo predictable.

[cosmicdot]

4. Dr. Crawford received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

and, played major roles in ... the formation of the World Trade Organization ...

he's pretty much been acting head of FDA, hasn't he? so, this would be a 'Bu$h** promotion'

I 'assume' he is an American.

his official bio indicates he 'is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (UK) and a Fellow of the International Society of Food Science and Technology. In 1984, he was inducted into the French Academy of Veterinary Medicine. In 1991, he received the Wooldridge Award, the British Veterinary Association's highest award.

Dr. Crawford received his Honorary Doctorate (MDV) from Budapest University. http://www.fda.gov/oc/crawford/bio.html

He sounds like a friend of Monsanto .........

Googling found a 2002 petition of interest:

The Food and Drug Administration took the highly unusual step of meddling in a state’s electoral process in early October, telling Oregon it opposes the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Oregon voters will decide on November 5 whether to pass Measure 27, the first statewide genetically engineered foods labeling initiative in the nation.

Lester Crawford, the deputy director of the FDA, wrote Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, explaining that “FDA's scientific judgment is that there is no significant difference between foods produced using bioengineering, as a class, and their conventional counterparts.” ~snip~

http://www.thecampaign.org/alert-fda.htm

FDA Denies Knowing Extent of Flu Vaccine Production Problems

MONDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDayNews) -- U.S. health officials Monday denied reports that they knew before last week that there were major production problems with a key American manufacturer's flu vaccine, which caused British authorities to suspend the company's license.

"The most recent inspections did not give any indication that Chiron would not be able to fulfill its recent public promise," Dr. Lester Crawford, acting commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said at a news conference. ~snip~

http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=2416373

~snip~

In a letter to Monsanto, FDA deputy commissioner Lester Crawford wrote, "We share your concerns"about "deceptive practices"that mislead consumers about the quality, safety, or value of milk products from rBGH-treated cows. Crawford said the agency was
exploring labeling practices for milk products to determine if they are misleading, and may issue warning letters to companies that are "falsely" marketing milk and dairy products as being free of hormones. ~snip~

Monsanto's efforts have been aided by the Hudson Institute, which launched a "Milk is Milk"campaign that targets "misleading" milk and dairy labels. The Institute, which has received funding by Monsanto and other agri-chemical companies and is known for its anti-organic stance, issued press releases, bumper stickers, and posters and encouraged consumers to report misleading dairy labels. ~snip~

http://www.organicconsumers.org/rbgh/oakhurst101003.cfm

[Stinky The Clown]

6. "Budapest University"

Don't they advertise degrees in the back of Soldier of Fortune magazine .... or one of them right wing rags?

Just kidding ... but what the fuck. Does this guy have any US creds?

[Roland99]

8. Just another friend of big business

typical.

[paineinthearse]

5. The whole town?

That may be cool, the newspaper endorsed Kerry.

[President Jesus]

7. Lester Crawford's political donations

I think this list says it all.

[Moderator]

9. kick

to combine threads

[jswordy]

10. Bush nominates acting FDA commissioner to lead agency

President Bush has nominated Lester Crawford to head the Food and Drug Administration. Crawford—who has been acting FDA commissioner for nearly a year—was hailed as a top choice for the position by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. “To millions of people, the FDA brand is a seal of quality and safety that is based on the best science in the world, and I look forward to working with Dr. Crawford to build on that trust in the 21st century,” the new HHS secretary said in a statement. “Dr. Crawford has dedicated his career to advancing the nation's public health and will lead the way as we enter a new era of individualized medicine and rapidly developing science. With Dr. Crawford's leadership, FDA will provide the world's safest drugs and empower citizens with the tools they need to make to make informed choices about their health.”


The nomination was also welcomed by the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Jim Greenwood, BIO president, said Crawford is “an excellent choice to lead the FDA during this critical time.”

(Emphasis added.)

http://www.researchresearch.com/news.cfm?pagename=newsStory&type=default&elementID=48161

[MissB]

11. Well, I personally think that a Veterinarian is a good choice to lead FDA

How about you? :eyes: