Kessler leaving as boss at FDA

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Dr. David Kessler, the architect of the Clinton administration's push to regulate tobacco, is leaving his post as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

"I hope the world is a little bit safer for our kids because of what we've done," Kessler said Monday, confirming his departure. His resignation will be effective as soon as a successor can be named.

Kessler said the Clinton administration asked him to stay on Friday and again Monday, but he decided six years was enough as head of the regulatory agency. His letter of resignation was delivered to the White House Monday afternoon.

A pediatrician and lawyer, Kessler served in both the Bush and Clinton administrations. Although he was brought in to help straighten out the agency after a generic drugs scandal, he will be remembered as Clinton's point man in the drive to regulate tobacco.

After declaring nicotine an addictive drug, and alleging that the industry deliberately manipulated the chemical to hook children on cigarettes, Kessler, in August, published the nation's first regulations on tobacco marketing. (145K/13 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

In the last two years he also fought efforts to curb the FDA's regulatory powers. Pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, aiming for less government intrusion into their products, were supported by a newly Republican-led Congress.

Some Republicans, including Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, look forward to Kessler's departure as an opportunity for agency reform. Barton claims that Kessler hadn't sped up the time for drug approvals. And many anti-abortion legislators chafed when Kessler gave preliminary approval to RU-486, an abortion pill.

But the White House stands behind Kessler's work. A statement from Clinton, issued Monday, said, "David Kessler represents the best that Americans can give in public service to their country -- a tireless commitment to better the lives of our citizens."

Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, under whose department the FDA falls, also lauded the commissioner. "He has had a profoundly positive effect on the nation's public health, particularly the health of our children, and I have been proud to have him on my team," Shalala said.

Of his achievements at the FDA, Kessler himself ranked near the top his success in cutting the time the FDA spends on approving new medicines, getting new AIDS drugs into the market quickly, and labeling food products with clearer, more useful information.

In his letter of resignation, Kessler lauded the accomplishments of his agency, but said "it is time to return to private life... I will leave knowing that the FDA remains dedicated to protecting the health of all of our families."

The tobacco industry, whose stock prices had risen on the rumor that Kessler would leave, declined to comment Monday. Tobacco foes said the industry shouldn't expect things will get easier for tobacco manufacturers just because Kessler is resigning.

"I don't think David Kessler would have left now if he thought his initiative would be undermined," said Matt Myers of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Government sources say a successor could come from within the agency. Dr. Michael Friedman, an oncologist who spent 14 years at the National Cancer Institute before becoming one of Kessler's top deputies this year, is one prospect.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
 

Related stories:

• White House denies any deal with tobacco industry - Aug. 27, 1996
• Studies: The younger you smoke, the tougher to quit - Aug. 23, 1996

Related site:

• Food and Drug Administration Home Page

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