A Conversation with Dr. David Kessler, Former FDA Commissioner

Last week, my employer - Fleishman-Hillard, held a public affairs briefing in Washington, D.C. that included several of the members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) for the firm.  The event was co-hosted by the Capitol Hill newspaper  Roll Call and was moderated by Morton M. Kondracke, political commentator and executive editor.  The IAB is made up of people from various industries and past administrations and some of them were assembled to discuss the challenges and priorities that exist for the next elected Administration on several fronts - from healthcare to foreign affairs to finance to trade.

I sat down with several of the IAB participants that day to record their thoughts, and one of them was Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner from 1990 until 1997, appointed first by President George H.W. Bush and re-appointed by President Bill Clinton. 

It seemed to me that Dr. Kessler led the FDA during much happier times, when the agency was indeed the gold standard.  I asked him to compare the level of scrutiny and Congressional oversight of the FDA today to the time when he was Commissioner.  We also, naturally, discussed the challenges that the FDA faces now, the questions of credibility and the role of leadership, the evolving role of the FDA in a global economy and the prospect of FDA reforms.

Enjoy.

Comments

[Kerry Donahue]

If Dr. Kessler was the curent head of the FDA, AIPC patients would be receiving Provenge the safe and effective treatment that this FDA turned down for nefarious reasons, and maybe our friend and CareToLive member John Fish would still be alive today.

Instead we have the bridge builder that is really just full of hot air.

[Ken Reid]

Dear Mark:

I like your blog and just signed up.

I have been writing about FDA since 1986,and in all areas -- foods, drugs, devices, biotech, blood products.

I wanted you to be aware of our regulatory compliance newsletters and services. at www.FDAINFO.com and www.FDADocuments.org

So, I hope we can stay in touch. I think we're going to see a huge demand for crisis communications work for pharma firms in the coming years.

Ken

[Denise Wills]

I remember Dr. Kessler from the 90's and had the greatest respect for him. It seems things went down hill after his tenure. I agree in part with congressional oversight as long as its fair and balanced but it has been overkill at times.