Evening star., 1963-01-06
May Declines
Medical Unit
DireCtOrship
BY MIRIAM GUTENBERG
Star Staff Writer

by MIRIAM OIIENbEhO
Star staff Writer
DR.. Charles S. May, whose
appointment as director of the
Food and Drug Administra-
tion's key Bureau of Medicine
has been pending since last
March, has withdrawn his
name from consideration for
the $4,000 post, it was learned
yesterday.
DR.. May, now a professor of
pediatrics at New York Univer-
sity Medical School, was pro-
posed for the top job in the
Bureau of Medicine by FDAI
Commissioner George P. Lar
rick.
The appointment was kept
under study for the next nine
months by Boisfeuillet Jones,
special assistant to the Secre-
tary of Health, Education and
Welfare for health and medical
affairs.
The Bureau of Medicine,
which will administer the new
drug laws passed by Congress
and a series of new regulations,
has been under an acting di-
rector since last August.
Controversies Cited
DR.. May said he withdrew his
name after a meeting at which
Mr. Jones made the point
that some of DR.. Mays past
activities had made him a
controversial figure"
In an essay entitled Selling
Drugs by Educating Physi-
clans" and later in testimony
before the Kefauver committee
considering drug legislation,
DR.. May questioned the promo
tional practices of the drug
manufacturers. He contended
that guidance of physicians on
the most effective treatment
for various conditions should
come from within the medical
profession.
DR.. May was formerly a
member of the American Med
ical Associations Council on
Drugs and former editor Of
"Pediatrics," the official jour-
nal Of the American Academy
of Pediatrics. He said he had
made himself available for the
FDA Job "out Of a sense of
public duty" although it would
have been a financial sacrifice.
Those who opposed his ap-
pointment, he said, had the
attitude that anyone who ap-
ueared and spoke of the need
for further legislation was au-
tomatically considered hostile
to industry"
Conscious Of Position
81 don't see how you can
take a stand on any issue with
out someone being displeased,"
he added.
Asked about DR.. Mays deci-
sion to withdraw his name,
Mr.. Jones denied that DR..
Mays writings or testimony |
before the Kefauver committee
had anything to do with delay
ing a decision on his appoint
ment. Mr.. Jones also denied
that he had been approached |
by representatives of the drug |
industry to oppose the appoint |
ment.
I'VE don't question DR.. Mays |
competence or his scientific
objectivity," Mr.. Jones said,
but it's perfectly obvious that
he was a subject Of controversy
not only in industry but in SCI
entific circles"
Mr.. Jones said he did not act
on the May appointment be-
cause the Citizens Advisory
Committee report on FDA was
imminent and he wanted to
see If any changes would be
recommended in the makeup
of the Bureau of Medicine
which would influence the
choice of a director. The Ad-
visory Committees report was
made public october 25.
Salary an Issue
He said he had considered
other prospects besides DR..
May. He said he was trying to
find somebody acceptable to
industry. the consumers and
the academic world but we're
not trying to satisfy industry
per Sc"
He acknowledged that "the
kind of people we're talking
about come at salary levels con-
siderably above $4,000"
I'VE want to give Commits
sioner Larrick an opportunity
TO develope a first-class organ
ization." he said. Were going
TO look over his shoulder and
help him while he does it,"
Commissioner Larrick briefly
outlined his troubles in getting
and keeping a director He said
he had a capable one but lost
him because the salary wasn't
large enuogh. After canvassing
the country unsuccessfully for
a successor. he said, he pro-
NOTED DR.. William Kessenich
from within the bureau.
DR.. Kessenich, he said. took
the assignment reluctantly and,
after awhile, told Mr. Larrick
he wanted TO leave for a job
with fewer pressures, even at
less pay. Mr.. Larrick said he
prevailed on Dr. Kessenich TO
stay until he could find a
successor.
After considerable investiga-
ton and consultation with the
Public Health Service. Mr.. Lar