Lester Crawford, who abruptly quit his job as head of the FDA only three months after being confirmed at the post, has signed on with a Washington lobbying outfit that specializes in food and drug issues. Crawford is now "senior counsel" to Policy Directions, which includes Merck and PhRMA on its roster of clients. Crawford is barred from directly lobbying the FDA for a year following his departure, but can offer "strategic advice" to clients dealing with the agency. Crawford's sudden resignation is being investigated after Senator Ted Kennedy asked the agency to determine if the resignation was sparked by an unreported financial conflict of interest. The FDA says the probe is ongoing.
- read this report from The Washington Post