For Immediate Release                                      Contact: Samantha Levine

March 12, 2009                                                                646-520-3510

 

 

 

NARAL Pro-Choice New York proudly supports former New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg for the head of the Food and Drug Administration and Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein as her chief deputy.

 

As New York City Health Commissioner, Dr. Hamburg instituted a needle-exchange program to help prevent the spread of HIV, oversaw abortion counseling and family planning centers and pregnancy prevention programs. Like Dr. Hamburg, Dr. Sharfstein demonstrated pro-choice credentials throughout his career, writing publicly in opposition to former President Bush’s efforts to ban abortion counseling at federally funded clinics.

 

After eight years of an FDA undermined by the Bush administration’s disregard for science – including its ideologically-driven campaign against emergency contraception – it is refreshing to see science reclaiming its rightful place under President Obama.

 

We are confident that Drs. Hamburg and Sharfstein will restore credibility to the FDA.