FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2006
Rep. Grijalva Comments on Court Filing Against Former FDA Chief Crawford
Tucson, AZ – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva released the following statement in response to today’s court filing against former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Lester Crawford on charges of making a false writing and serving with conflicts of interest.
“Today’s court filing underscores the need to overhaul the FDA, the agency in charge of protecting our health and safety.
“Former FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford knowingly ignored the law regarding his financial holdings and conflicts of interest. It is my hopes that today’s decision will be a warning to future Bush Administration appointees that the public safety of our country will no longer take a backseat to cronyism.
“The FDA needs leadership and must restore public confidence; we cannot allow this Administration’s pattern of undermining our public health for the benefit of industry to continue.
“Last year, I joined with four of my colleagues in asking that Inspector General Daniel Levinson of the Department of Health and Human Services conduct an investigation of Crawford’s sudden resignation, two months after his confirmation, with a particular focus on any potential financial conflicts of interest. I remain supportive of the IG’s ongoing investigation, which will work to address the harm that has been done. The days of letting the FDA treat the pharmaceutical industry as client - rather than as a regulated entity - must come to an end.”
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