Philadelphia Inquirer Column Criticizes Leadership Vacancies
Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Larry Eichel today discusses the vacancies at the heads of both the FDA and the NIH, saying that although President Bush "has a full plate right now," filling those spots "ought to command his attention" because public health "has emerged as a critical element in the war on terrorism." The FDA has gone 11 months without a commissioner, and the NIH has not had a permanent director for two years. While both agencies can operate without leaders "on a day-to-day basis," their lack of a top executive precludes them from having "seats at the table" when policy decisions with public health importance are discussed, Eichel notes. Lawmakers and health officials alike are also beginning to express concern, he says. Sen Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) says both agencies may start losing their ability to bring in young scientists because they "worry about what direction the agency might take." Mohammad Akhter, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said, "I'm puzzled; there are so many qualified people" for both jobs. Akhter added, "I don't think it's benign neglect by the administration." According to Eichel, Senate Democrats, backed by "anecdotal press reports," say that qualified candidates for FDA commissioner have been "nixed" because they will not "embrace" the administration's policy on stem-cell research or the abortion drug mifepristone. Republicans, however, blame Democrats for "gumming up the works." pointing to "what amounts to veto power" in the hands of the chair of the Senate health committee, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). Last summer, Kennedy and six of his colleagues sent a letter to Bush demanding that "any new FDA commissioner had to have a strong scientific or medical background -- and no industry connections." Eichel reports that the Bush administration "has yet to comply," and Kennedy "hasn't wavered." According to Eichel, the stand-off may end when Surgeon General David Satcher's term ends in February. Eichel concludes that if Satcher's departure "doesn't bring this embarassing situation to a boil, it's hard to imagine what will" (Eichel, Philadelphia Inquirer, 12/12).
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