The National Council of Jewish Women said it is “deeply troubled” with President Bush’s choice for Food and Drug Administration commissioner. The organization said Tuesday that the president’s promotion last week of Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, who had been serving as acting head of the FDA since September 2005, to the permanent position was problematic because of his opposition to the Plan B emergency contraceptive. Phyllis Snyder, NCJW’s president, said the drug has received favorable recommendations by both a scientific advisory panel and the FDA’s own scientists, but under von Eschenbach’s leadership, the FDA has failed to meet statutory deadlines to make it available over the counter.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.