Health groups form FDA Commissioner Coalition

Health groups, some supported by pharmaceutical companies, are voicing concerns about the appointment of the next FDA commissioner.

The FDA Commissioner Coalition sent a letter to Tom Daschle, the new Health and Human Services Secretary who will pick Andy von Eschenbach's successor, urging him to choose someone who is familiar with the drug industry.

Groups involved with the coalition include the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Friends of Cancer Research, the Men's Health Network, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The letter comes after some members of Congress requested that the FDA be staffed with agency outsiders and industry critics.