Fw: CPR speaks out on the new FDA commissioner

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- From: Zuckerman

Undisclosed-Recipient:;

Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 8:50 PM

Subject: CPR speaks out on the new FDA commissioner

Dear Friends,

We are concerned that the likely new FDA commissioner defended direct-to-consumer advertising and letting companies hire consultants to inspect their facilities, and did not express any concerns about improving the safety of medical products. (See below)

Sincerely,

Zuckerman, Ph.D.PresidentNational Center for Policy Research (CPR) for Women & Families1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWSuite 901Washington, DC 20006202 223-4000www.center4policy.org

Remember CPR when you give to United Way or CFC, by designating #9884!

The New York Times

October 8, 2002

"Senate Hears Bush Nominee For F.D.A."

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

President Bush's nominee for commissioner of food and drugs, Dr. Mark B. McClellan, appeared before the Senate today for a brief and cordial confirmation hearing that seemed to clear the way for his confirmation by the chamber.

"Hopefully, we'll get you on the job very quickly," Senator M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, who led the hearing, told Dr. McClellan.

As chairman of the Senate health committee, Mr. Kennedy stood in the way of a previous nominee, so his support is crucial for Dr. McClellan. The senator said that his committee would vote as early as Wednesday on Dr. McClellan's confirmation and that he hoped the full Senate would confirm Dr. McClellan before it went into recess, scheduled for the end of next week.

Dr. McClellan, a physician and economist who is a member of Mr. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers, did not make any new policy pronouncements at the hearing, which lasted little more than an hour.

He said that he believed television advertising for prescription drugs helped promote "treatment of conditions that are seriously undertreated" and that while he believed tobacco was an "avoidable health risk" he did not intend to tackle the contentious issue of whether the Food and Drug Administration should regulate cigarettes.

Noting that the Supreme Court had declined to grant the agency such power, Dr. McClellan said, "That is not going to be on the table, at least in the short run."

Dr. McClellan's views disappointed at least one consumer advocate, Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Policy Research for Women and Families.

"He didn't make any commitment to strengthen the authority of the F.D.A.," Ms. Zuckerman said.

If confirmed, Dr. McClellan, 39, will assume control of a vast agency with a $1.6 billion budget and the authority to regulate products that account for 20 cents of every consumer dollar spent.

The agency has lacked a commissioner since Mr. Bush took office, in part because the White House and Senate Democrats have not been able to agree on a suitable candidate.

http://www.nytimes.com

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- From: Zuckerman

Undisclosed-Recipient:;@...

Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 7:50 PM

Subject: CPR speaks out on the new FDA commissioner

Dear Friends,

We are concerned that the likely new FDA commissioner defended direct-to-consumer advertising and letting companies hire consultants to inspect their facilities, and did not express any concerns about improving the safety of medical products. (See below)

Sincerely,

Zuckerman, Ph.D.PresidentNational Center for Policy Research (CPR) for Women & Families1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWSuite 901Washington, DC 20006202 223-4000www.center4policy.org

Remember CPR when you give to United Way or CFC, by designating #9884!

The New York Times

October 8, 2002

"Senate Hears Bush Nominee For F.D.A."

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

President Bush's nominee for commissioner of food and drugs, Dr. Mark B. McClellan, appeared before the Senate today for a brief and cordial confirmation hearing that seemed to clear the way for his confirmation by the chamber.

"Hopefully, we'll get you on the job very quickly," Senator M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, who led the hearing, told Dr. McClellan.

As chairman of the Senate health committee, Mr. Kennedy stood in the way of a previous nominee, so his support is crucial for Dr. McClellan. The senator said that his committee would vote as early as Wednesday on Dr. McClellan's confirmation and that he hoped the full Senate would confirm Dr. McClellan before it went into recess, scheduled for the end of next week.

Dr. McClellan, a physician and economist who is a member of Mr. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers, did not make any new policy pronouncements at the hearing, which lasted little more than an hour.

He said that he believed television advertising for prescription drugs helped promote "treatment of conditions that are seriously undertreated" and that while he believed tobacco was an "avoidable health risk" he did not intend to tackle the contentious issue of whether the Food and Drug Administration should regulate cigarettes.

Noting that the Supreme Court had declined to grant the agency such power, Dr. McClellan said, "That is not going to be on the table, at least in the short run."

Dr. McClellan's views disappointed at least one consumer advocate, Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Policy Research for Women and Families.

"He didn't make any commitment to strengthen the authority of the F.D.A.," Ms. Zuckerman said.

If confirmed, Dr. McClellan, 39, will assume control of a vast agency with a $1.6 billion budget and the authority to regulate products that account for 20 cents of every consumer dollar spent.

The agency has lacked a commissioner since Mr. Bush took office, in part because the White House and Senate Democrats have not been able to agree on a suitable candidate.

http://www.nytimes.com

[Guest guest]

FYI! MM

Many thanks to for keeping us all 'up-to-date'!

Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters"Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices"4416 Willow LaneDallas, TX 75244-7537

----- Original Message ----- From: Zuckerman

Undisclosed-Recipient:;

Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 9:50 PM

Subject: CPR speaks out on the new FDA commissioner

Dear Friends,

We are concerned that the likely new FDA commissioner defended direct-to-consumer advertising and letting companies hire consultants to inspect their facilities, and did not express any concerns about improving the safety of medical products. (See below)

Sincerely,

Zuckerman, Ph.D.PresidentNational Center for Policy Research (CPR) for Women & Families1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWSuite 901Washington, DC 20006202 223-4000www.center4policy.org

Remember CPR when you give to United Way or CFC, by designating #9884!

The New York Times

October 8, 2002

"Senate Hears Bush Nominee For F.D.A."

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

President Bush's nominee for commissioner of food and drugs, Dr. Mark B. McClellan, appeared before the Senate today for a brief and cordial confirmation hearing that seemed to clear the way for his confirmation by the chamber.

"Hopefully, we'll get you on the job very quickly," Senator M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, who led the hearing, told Dr. McClellan.

As chairman of the Senate health committee, Mr. Kennedy stood in the way of a previous nominee, so his support is crucial for Dr. McClellan. The senator said that his committee would vote as early as Wednesday on Dr. McClellan's confirmation and that he hoped the full Senate would confirm Dr. McClellan before it went into recess, scheduled for the end of next week.

Dr. McClellan, a physician and economist who is a member of Mr. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers, did not make any new policy pronouncements at the hearing, which lasted little more than an hour.

He said that he believed television advertising for prescription drugs helped promote "treatment of conditions that are seriously undertreated" and that while he believed tobacco was an "avoidable health risk" he did not intend to tackle the contentious issue of whether the Food and Drug Administration should regulate cigarettes.

Noting that the Supreme Court had declined to grant the agency such power, Dr. McClellan said, "That is not going to be on the table, at least in the short run."

Dr. McClellan's views disappointed at least one consumer advocate, Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Policy Research for Women and Families.

"He didn't make any commitment to strengthen the authority of the F.D.A.," Ms. Zuckerman said.

If confirmed, Dr. McClellan, 39, will assume control of a vast agency with a $1.6 billion budget and the authority to regulate products that account for 20 cents of every consumer dollar spent.

The agency has lacked a commissioner since Mr. Bush took office, in part because the White House and Senate Democrats have not been able to agree on a suitable candidate.

http://www.nytimes.com