Hubbard to Retire From FDA; Lutter to Serve as Replacement

William Hubbard, the FDA's long-time associate commissioner for policy and planning, has announced his retirement from the agency. Randall Lutter, of the FDA's Office of Planning, will replace Hubbard.

Hubbard, who joined the HHS in 1973, spent more than 14 years as associate commissioner. In his time at the agency, he spearheaded many drug-related initiatives, including the creation of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and the redesign of the label for OTC drugs.

Lutter, meanwhile, is a relative newcomer to the FDA, joining the agency in 2002 as chief economist in the Office of Planning. Previously, Lutter worked as a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He also served as a staff economist with the Office of Management and Budget from 1991 to 1997.

As the new associate commissioner, Lutter will be a senior adviser to acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford on all major agency matters, including regulations, policy and administrative programs, the agency said.