WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Bush nominated acting Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to be the agency’s permanent commissioner. The FDA has repeatedly postponed a decision on the application to make the Plan B emergency contraceptive available without a prescription, and that is likely to be a key issue during the Senate approval process.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-14), who is the author of legislation that would require the FDA to make a scientific-based decision on Plan B (See Press Release), issued the following statement:

"Another day, another FDA Commissioner - the names may change, but they all keep playing the same stall game with the Plan B decision. Dr. von Eschenbach has had six months to take a look at the scientific evidence and make a decision, but he still hasn’t done a thing.

"This nomination shouldn’t go anywhere until there is resolution on Plan B. The FDA is meant to be a health watchdog, but it has become a fully political entity. It’s time to restore the FDA’s credibility."

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