FDA CREATES NEW OFFICE OF CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

The FDA has announced two major personnel changes, moving Janet Woodcock to oversee a new office and inserting John Dyer as deputy commissioner for operations and chief operating officer (COO) of the agency.

Woodcock, former deputy commissioner for operations, will lead the new Office of the Chief Medical Officer, which will manage scientific and planning operations for the agency.

Woodcock will collaborate with FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach in planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, controlling and evaluating the agency's scientific and medical regulatory activities. Woodcock has worked for the agency since 1986 and has previously served as the director of CDER.

John Dyer will replace Woodcock as the FDA's deputy commissioner for operations, as well as serving as the COO. According to the agency, Dyer will focus on enhancing the FDA's management, business processes and information technology as part of the senior management supporting von Eschenbach.