Maurice Hinchey, a Democratic congressman from New York and vocal FDA critic, plans on getting rough with FDA commish Andy von Eschenbach tomorrow. We know this because Hinchey’s press aide sent communiques to this effect (there’s no link available, but you can view Hinchey’s web site here. That’s Maurice to the right).

Andy will be making his first appearance before the Democratic congress by testifying before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture tomorrow 28 at 10am in Room 2362-A of the Rayburn House Office Building regarding the FDA’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2007. Hinchey is a member of the subcommittee.

To quote the heads up, Hinchey will “aggressively question” the commish about FDA culture, including how he feels dissent from agency scientists and officials should be handled; conflicts of interest on FDA advisory panels; and the upcoming reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA); post-market drug safety. Hinchey plans on introducing his FDA Improvement Act in a week or two.

For insights into Andy’s thinking on some of these topics, Pharmalot refers you to this item, which captured the commish last week - in his own words. Good luck to the congressman.

[tags]Andrew von Eschenbach, FDA, Maurice Hinchey[/tags]