Von Eschenbach Throws Hat in Ring to Run FDA; Pledges Faster Drug Approvals

The Baltimore Sun reports today that Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, the acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, is actively seeking a full-time appointment.

In an appearance before the Personalized Medicine Coalition, an industry-sponsored group, the cancer surgeon (who right now also runs the National Cancer Institute) said he wanted to "improve" the drug approval process. He vowed to make faster drug approvals "one of my highest priorities."

Two weeks ago, von Eschenbach told a Congressional appropriations committee considering the FDA's 2007 budget that "we are making a tremendous commitment to the whole area of safety."

It is, of course, possible to both hasten drug approvals and still ensure that they are safe. But one can't help but think that he's talking out of both sides of his mouth depending on the audience.

Word among lobbyists is that von Eschenbach's wish for a permanent appointment at FDA has already been greeted cooly by Sen. Michael Enzi (R-Wyoming), who chairs the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee. He's probably not anxious to hold hearings about the embattled agency in an election year.