President Bush nominated acting FDA commissioner Andrew vonEschenbach, M.D., to permanently head the agency. Eschenbach, whoalso heads the National Cancer Institute, may faceconflict-of-interest charges at his confirmation hearings, andSenate Democrats have threatened to hold up his confirmation overFDA's inaction on OTC status for the emergency contraceptive PlanB. NCPA and NACDS had no comment on the Eschenbach nomination, butAPhA views him as an "excellent choice."
With the inherent value medications provide in the greater health care system, Jennifer Hammons, PharmD, DrPH, argues that rural pharmacies deserve the proper recognition.
Community pharmacists offer accessible care, improve medication adherence, and build trust through education, vaccination support, and local health leadership.