That’s the scathing conclusion of an essay in The RPM Report, which acknowledges von Eschenbach’s polished credentials, but chastises him for failing to act decisively and communicate effectively.

As examples, the mag notes Andy’s determined and comical effort to avoid giving a straight answer about post-marketing studies at the recent Avandia hearing; his tepid endorsement of the Institute of Medicine report on drug safety that the agency itself commissioned; the smear campaign against Steve Nissen that was launched by an agency public affairs consultant, and Andy’s infamous warning last fall to staffers to act like team players and not take complaints to Congress, or they risk getting traded.

In fact, that warning continues to haunt him. Last March, he told a congressional committee that he was misquoted at a recent conference where he responded to a question about his none-too-subtle warning. He wasn’t misquoted actually, but Andy skillfully used the platform to chastise the media and place his version of events in the official congressional record.

“At a time when Congress is demanding straight answers, von Eschenbach comes across as polite, well-intentioned, avuncular and interested in a long-term vision of medicine,” RPM writes. “But taking that approach makes him appear evasive, circuitous and ineffectual: not a good image for an agency that has to retake the leadership position as the arbiter of drug issues.”

“FDA has a leadership problem. It is not that von Eschenbach isn’t qualified to be commissioner, or that he lacks a vision to be a great leader. Is is that the man and the vision simply seemed to be mismatched with the challenges before the agency.”

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