Contempt citation possible in Ketek investigation
Republicans lawmakers would support a contempt citation against the health secretary if he did not produce information requested as part of a Congressional committee investigation involving the antibiotic Ketek, Bloomberg News reports.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is investigating whether Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach gave misleading testimony about Ketek during a committee hearing. Made by Sanofi-Aventis SA, Ketek is an antibiotic linked to potentially fatal liver damage.
The committee issued a subpoena for the briefing papers used to prepare von Eschenbach for his testimony. In a letter dated Feb. 11, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt objected to the request on the grounds that it could create a “chilling effect.”
In a letter dated Feb. 27, the congressional committee informed Leavitt that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle would support a contempt citation if Leavitt didn’t either produce the briefing papers or allow the lawmakers to see the documents and interview FDA staff.
Continue reading "Contempt citation possible in Ketek investigation" »
