McClellan steps down as chair of import task force

Medical Marketing and Media, May 2004 by Dickinson, James G

AMID INTENSE criticism from Capitol Hill and patient advocate groups about Mark McClellan's appointment to chair a drug reimportation task force, the former FDA commissioner was dropped from this post in March, though he remains a member of the panel. Critics had claimed his statements against Rx imports while at the FDA proved he had a closed mind on the issue and could not preside impartially over the task force.

Without referring to the controversy, Department of Health and Human Services secretary Tommy Thompson told lawmakers he had decided that McCIeIlan would be too busy for the post after he took over as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

McClellan's move to the CMS came in a surprisingly easy Senate vote on March 12. Earlier, several senators hinted they would delay or block his confirmation after McClellan gave what they called unsatisfactory answers to committees examining drug importation and a contentious provision in the recent Medicare overhaul that prohibits HHS price negotiations.

McClellan's responses to the Senate Commerce Committee the day before the floor vote so riled chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) that the senator abandoned further questioning, deferring to Sen. RonWyden (D-Ore.).-J.G.D.