Jousting over FDA power

WASHINGTON - Members of Congress told FDA Commissioner David Kessler last week that the agency should be subject to external oversight and investigation in order to prevent abuses of power.

The hearing of the oversight and investigations subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee was a continuation of a hearing begun on July 25, when Kessler was scheduled to testify on alleged abuses of power and retaliation by the FDA. He declined to testify in July, asking for more time to respond to the allegations. ...