Woodcock named CDER head.

Dr. Janet Woodcock has been named director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Dr. Woodcock, a rheumatologist, served as director of CDER once before, in the 1990s, and has served as acting director since October 2007. The drug industry's chief lobbying group, PhRMA, welcomed the appointment. Dr. Woodcock "has demonstrated willingness to work with diverse partners, including researchers, Congress, the White House, patients, and pharmaceutical research companies," said a statement from the group. But Public Citizen's health research group director Dr. Sidney Wolfe said in an interview that he's "not terribly hopeful" that Dr. Woodcock will lead the center well, because she doesn't like conflict or controversy. "I don't think she's the kind of CDER director we need right now," Dr. Wolfe said. "She's aware of a number of drugs on the market that should be taken off the market, but I don't think she has the fortitude to do something about it."