Thompson Says Decision on FDA Commissioner Near
The "long-vacant post" of FDA commissioner is likely to be filled "real soon," according to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson. The Washington Post's "In the Loop" column reports that Thompson said on Jan. 8 that three candidates for the position are "under White House review." Thompson did not name the candidates, but the Post reports that they are likely to be:
- Alastair Wood, a medical professor at Vanderbilt University, who is "said to be the front-runner";
- Lester Crawford, head of Virginia Tech's Center for Food and Nutrition Policy; and
- Michael Astrue, senior vice president of the biotechnology company Transkaryotic Therapies (Kamen, Washington Post, 1/9).
