FDA Names Woodcock As Drug Review Chief
5 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // March 10th, 2008 // 6:09 pm
After what FDA commish Andy von Eschenbach called a national search, he’s decided to let Janet Woodcock to become the permanent head of the agency’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. The move ends speculation that Jesse Goodman, who oversees the biologics division, would get the job.
“Dr. Woodcock’s outstanding scientific credentials and historical knowledge of the complexities involved in drug safety and regulation make her uniquely qualified to oversee, as well as modernize the techniques, tools, and methods used for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of drugs throughout the product life-cycle,” Andy says in a statement.
Woodcock held this role in an acting capacity since September and this, in fact, will be her second go-round as head of CDER. Given her long-standing profile and the fact that she helped mold the agency’s current approach to drug regulation, Woodcock is unlikely to be seen as a wild card intent on making substantial changes to FDA policy.
Lisa Van S
Oh My God,.. You have got to be kidding!! The woman is a nut!! Gee,.. why dont we call her the head “jurist”. Famous words during the O and I Congressional Hearings,..The Jury is still out on SSRI’s in kids.
This was definitely a Pharma Draftee. This woman couldnt find her way out of a Brown papar bag,..eee gads!!
Lisa Van S
C’mon Ed,… The Woman Is a Joke!!!
Justice in Michigan
I would choose her over Seligman or Lumpkin any time. She had the honesty to describe CDER as having a “sweatshop environment” a few years ago. And she made a genuine attempt to get more money for the ODS, rebuffed by Congress per usual with FDA.
scott
She had information that SSRI’s were unsafe for some kids and decided to sit on the information. She is responsible for parents not being aware of what she and others at FDA knew, but felt it not necessary to inform the public. Drug safety was her job. She didn’t do her job. It is just the same old thing. FDA has to be swept clean. Hopefully whoever wins in November will have the guts to clean house, but I wouldn’t count on it. Consumers beware, these jokers aren’t going to give you timely information, not with Woodcock at the helm.
Lisa Van S
Justice– When you get a chance read her testimony before the Energy and Commerce O an I on Sept 23, 2004.