Crawford resigns as FDA chairman

Lester Crawford abruptly resigned his position as chairman of the Food and Drug Administration on Friday, a little more than two months after his confirmation. The Bush administration named Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, current head of the National Cancer Institute, as the acting chief. The New York Times reports that von Eschenbach will work both jobs at once. A former cancer survivor who moved to the National Institutes of Health after working as the head of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, von Eschenbach is seen as likely to pursue policies which will make it easier for new therapies to move onto the market.

- see this story from The New York Times

PLUS: Why did Crawford really leave? Theories abound. The Wall Street Journal argues that the decision probably had something to do with an "undisclosed financial position" held by Crawford. Story (sub. req.)

ALSO: Von Eschenbach will attempt to "transform" the FDA after the recent focus on drug safety under Crawford, The Washington Post notes. He will work to streamline what is already "a gold standard of approval." Story