Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The Obama administration has named two doctors to head up the much-criticized U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), individuals who are known for speaking out about public safety. Sources say Margaret Hamburg, a physician and former New York City health commissioner, was selected to run the agency with Joshua Sharfstein, of the Baltimore health commission, as her chief deputy, according to The Washington Post.

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A Washington lawmaker is raising concerns about the FDA’s handling of the tainted heparin scandal earlier this year, claiming that the agency misrepresented deaths tied to the product and didn’t thoroughly investigate the situation, according to CNN Money.

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Every company can use a good spin doctor from time to time, and it looks like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is no exception.

Last month I told you that California Rep. Harry Waxman, who serves as head of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, raised concerns that items outlined on the FDA’s 2007 priorities list appeared to prioritize industry desires over consumer protection.

This, just months after more than 80 American deaths were linked to tainted heparin that was made in Baxter International Inc.’s facility in China. FDA officials later acknowledged they had not inspected that facility and claimed they had insufficient staff and financial resources to regularly inspect overseas manufacturers.

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