CRAWFORD STEPS DOWN AS FDA CHIEF

FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford stunned the industry with the announcement late Friday that he was stepping down from the post he had fought to gain just two months before. Crawford, 67, whose nomination was delayed by an anonymous allegation of personal misconduct and political opposition to the agency's decision not to approve the Plan B contraceptive, gave no specific reason for his resignation. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 18, after having served as acting commissioner and deputy commissioner. The White House named Andrew von Eschenbach, the head of the National Cancer Institute, as acting commissioner.