FDA commissioner

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

In the United States, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs is the head of the Food and Drug Administration. The commissioner reports to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and is a presidential appointment with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Due to frequent controversies involving the FDA, appointments are not always prompt and the agency is often headed by an acting commissioner. For example, Andrew von Eschenbach's appointment was held up by senators who objected to the FDA's refusal to allow over the counter status to the controversial Plan B emergency contraception.

The commissioner has frequently been a physician, but this is not a requirement for the post.

[edit] List of Commissioners

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Personal tools