more incompetance rewarded

Bush FDA Choice Rattles Advocacy Groups

WASHINGTON - Consumer advocacy groups are questioning President Bush's choice to head the Food and Drug Administration because of how he led the agency when it faced growing criticism that it has failed to protect the public from unsafe prescription drugs.

Lester Crawford, who has been acting or deputy FDA commissioner for the past three years, faced a confirmation hearing Thursday before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee. The panel's Republican members support the nomination, while Democrats have adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

"Dr. Crawford's eminently qualified to handle the challenges and responsibilities of keeping our nation's food and drug supply safe and secure," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., a member of the panel.

Three consumer groups, in a joint letter to the committee, criticized the nomination. They contended the FDA's "high profile missteps and failure to take timely action" in protecting the public against unsafe prescription drugs raise questions about Crawford's "leadership, his ability to manage interagency conflicts and willingness to act in the best interest of consumers."