U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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The FDA this Week: Andy's Take

Farewell

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.

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About Andy's Take

Through this communications column on the FDA Web site, Commissioner for Food and Drugs Andrew von Eschenbach will discuss weekly FDA issues of interest to the American consumer and occasionally preview upcoming FDA issues and events.

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January 16, 2009
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Welcome to Andy's Take.

Over the past year I have emphasized in these weekly communications that FDA was in the midst of a major transition in order to respond to the emerging challenges and opportunities in food and medical product regulation. But this week, we are in the midst of different kind of transition, as FDA, and other agencies in the executive branch of the federal government, welcome a new administration. How does this affect you and the FDA-regulated products you use every day?

My take is that you and your family can be assured that the transition to new leadership at the FDA has been and will continue to be smooth and seamless. Although I relinquish my duties as commissioner at noon on January 20th, the FDA scientists and experts will remain hard at work to assure the safety of the food and medical products you depend on.

Upon my departure, Dr. Frank Torti, currently FDA's Principal Deputy Commissioner and Chief Scientist, will take over the helm at FDA as the acting commissioner. Dr. Torti is a superb clinician, researcher, and medical educator, as well as an outstanding administrator, and I invite you to review his biography posted on the FDA's web site.

Speaking to you on a weekly basis, and giving you my take on news and events about food and medical products, has been one of the highlights of my tenure at the FDA. The three years I have been at the agency have been a pivotal period -- for in that time we have seen the increasingly rapid and radical changes resulting from both globalization of the marketplace and advancements in science and technology that are ushering in the molecular era of health care.

These changes have made it possible for you to have fresh fruit and vegetables 365 days a year and see new breakthroughs in treating disease. But there have been great challenges including some involving bacterial contamination of food and adulteration of drugs. These events caused some to question whether in the future you could have confidence in the FDA to continue to protect and promote your health.

I want to assure you that the answer to that question is "yes," because during these past three years we have initiated changes that have put the FDA on a new course of modernization and on a positive trajectory of growth in personnel and resources. These improvements will enable the FDA to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

Whether it is assuring the safety of food and animal feed, or bringing novel treatments to patients, the FDA has embarked upon a new strategic direction with numerous new initiatives. For them to be sustained and successful will require the ongoing commitment of you and so many others in government and in industry. A strong, a vital FDA in the 21st century is essential, because your life and well-being and that of your family depend on it.

As always, FDA will strive every day to be worthy of your trust and confidence. My hope is that you will continue to support this agency's effort to do the right thing in the right way as it works to promote and protect your health.

Thank you for listening. I bid you "farewell" with the wish that God will continue to bless you and this great country with good health. I hope that you will check back here next week to hear the latest about the FDA from Acting Commissioner Dr. Frank Torti.



Andy

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.
Commissioner of Food and Drugs


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