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20 Sep, (foodconsumer.org) - The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today approved the nomination of Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach as the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner through a majority voice vote.

Dr von Eschenbach is currently the acting commissioner of the FDA and is President Bush's nominee for a permanent post.

Committee Chairman Sen. Mike Enzi said that it was critical that the FDA have a leader in place as quickly as possible. While Dr von Eschenbach has received the Committee's backing, he faces a tough journey through the full Senate as Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina has blocked a vote citing safety concerns of the abortion pill known as RU-486, or Mifeprex.

"I believe a qualified FDA nominee would publicly discourage the use of RU-486 and take immediate steps to suspend the drug until a full investigation can be completed," DeMint said, adding that he would continue to block a full vote on the floor of the Senate unless Dr von Eschenbach agreed to suspend sales of RU-486.

But Senator Enzi said it was necessary that the Senate allow a smooth confirmation, "We need a strong leader at the FDA right now, one who has a mandate to act. There are many items before the FDA that requires the immediate attention of an FDA commissioner vested with full authority. It is time (for) the Senate to move forward with this nomination," he added.

Von Eschenbach was previously the director of the National Cancer Institute. He is an oncologist who has survived cancer and is serving as acting director of FDA since the last 12 months.

His nomination hearings were also tough since two Democrat Senators made it clear that unless the emergency contraceptive Plan B was approved, von Eschenbach could bid goodbye to the FDA. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Patty Murray of Washington withdrew their opposition after the FDA reconsidered Plan B.

At the hearing, von Eschenbach had said, that if confirmed creating an atmosphere of more openness would be one of his biggest priorities, with the hope of encouraging spirited scientific debate.

"There are differences of opinion that arise with regard to the interpretation of ... facts," he said. "The data informs the decision, but the decision is made using judgment." Plan B has since been cleared for wider access and is available as an over-the-counter product.

Another possible hurdle for von Eschenbach is Republican senator, David Vitter of Louisiana, who disagrees with the Bush Administration's policies on prescription drug importation.

However Sen Enzi said he would work with those who opposed von Eschenbach, "I certainly hope people won't be bargaining for other things ... it's not appropriate," he said.

Meanwhile the Consumer Healthcare Products Association said that it supported Dr von Eschenbach's confirmation as FDA Commissioner. In a press release, the association said, "CHPA feels strongly that Dr. von Eschenbach’s professional background and commitment to improving public health will serve this important regulatory agency well. We are hopeful that the U.S. Senate will move swiftly on floor consideration of the FDA Commissioner."

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