New FDA chief steps down from NCI, still faces conflict questions

After coming under intense criticism for trying to hold down the job of acting director of the FDA and head of the cancer institute, Andrew von Eschenbach announced on Friday that he would step down temporarily from the institute. John Niederhuber will become interim NCI chief. Critics had pointed out that the interim FDA chief's new job includes the power to approve the cancer institute's testing of experimental drugs. The NCI also has close ties to a large number of drug companies. Von Eschenbach continues to face conflict questions for his role on the non-profit board of C-Change, which includes two pharma executives.

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