FDA Replaces Woman’s Health Advocate Who Quit Over Morning After Pill

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 21, 2005   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 21, 2005

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The Food and Drug Administration has replaced its women’s health advocate after the woman who held the post quit following the agency’s delay in approving over the counter sales of the morning after pill.

The Office of Women’s Health has become a political post following the departure of Susan Wood, who quit when the federal drug agency stalled again on the Plan B drugs.

Kathleen Uhl, most recently the supervisory medical officer in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, will take over from Wood next month.

Uhl actually replaces Theresa Toigo, who had been serving as acting director. Toigo replaced Nelson Alderson, PhD, a specialist in veterinary medicine, who stepped in for Wood but left after abortion advocates complained.

About Uhl, a senior FDA official told the Washington Post, "Her practical clinical and scientific experience is perfectly matched to the mission of the [position.]"

However, Wood told the Post she favors Uhl filling her position, saying she would "be a good choice for the job." The two have frequently worked together and Wood described Uhl as "a long-standing advocate for women’s health in the agency."

Uhl is experienced in laboratory and clinical research, clinical practice, drug application review, drug safety oversight and women’s health issues, according to an FDA news release. She came to the agency in 1998.

Pro-life groups applauded when Wood resigned in September saying that a woman who advocates the sometimes abortion-causing drug shouldn’t be in the position.