With holds on nomination lifted, Senate approves FDA chief

The Senate Monday approved Lester Crawford to head the Food and Drug Administration, 78-16, after several senators removed holds that had blocked his nomination.

Crawford has been the acting commissioner of the FDA since last year, and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., noted that the agency has lacked a permanent chief as it faced important decisions.

"The FDA is at a critical point," Enzi said. "The country deserves to have a fully functioning FDA."

But one key senator objected to Crawford's nomination.

Senate Finance Chairman Grassley, who has been probing various drug-safety problems at the FDA, said that although he believes Crawford has "the best of intentions," he has not done enough to address the problems plaguing the agency. "This country's confidence in the FDA has been shaken," Grassley said. "FDA is plagued by structural, personnel, cultural, and scientific problems ... Dr. Crawford has not stepped up to the plate."

Three senators had placed holds on Crawford's nomination.

Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., had placed a hold on his nomination until the FDA ruled whether to grant over-the-counter status to the drug "Plan B," a "morning after" contraceptive currently is available only by prescription.

In addition, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., had also placed a hold because he wanted FDA to issue new labels for condoms that indicate that they do not prevent all sexually transmitted diseases. Coburn also lifted his hold but it was unclear why.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt Friday announced that the FDA would rule on the Plan B application by Sept. 1, prompting Clinton and Murray to lift their holds.