FDA deputy commissioner Janet Woodcock will return to the role of permanent director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research following a “national search” to fill the slot.

Woodcock had been serving as acting director of CDER after previous director Stephen Galson was appointed Surgeon General last fall. Woodcock has been with the FDA for 21 years and held the title of CDER director from 1994 until 2005. In accepting the permanent director job, Woodcock is also expected to give up her current title as deputy commissioner for scientific and medical programs.
“Dr. Woodcock’s exemplary service since October was confirmation of her being ideally suited to lead the center during this crucial period following the passage of the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007,” said FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach in a statement. “The agency is fully committed to implementing the drug safety programs laid out by this Act and meeting the goals set under the Prescription Drug User Fee program, which will help ensure that CDER has the additional resources that are needed to conduct these very complex and comprehensive reviews.”

The FDA’s CDER division is tasked with overseeing the safety and effectiveness of prescription and over-the-counter drugs used in the US.