President Bush nominated Andrew von Eschenbach to the permanent post of FDA commissioner, but the nomination is in trouble from the get-go, with senate leaders vowing to hold the nomination hostage to a firm decision from the agency on making the controversial Plan B contraceptive available over the counter. Scientists at the FDA have been clear that the contraceptive is safe and effective, but top regulators have pushed Plan B into regulatory limbo. Conservatives see Plan B as a tacit encouragement to promiscuity, which some internal and external critics say shouldn't be an issue at all.
Plan B was a major snag for Lester Crawford, who left abruptly after only a brief period following his controversial nomination process. But with both sides vowing to hold on and fight to the bitter end, it's likely to be some time before von Eschenbach prevails. That is likely to continue the prolonged sense of uncertainty that has plagued the FDA during the bulk of President Bush's administration.
- read this Los Angeles Times report