From Thursday's New York Times, "U.S. to Study Importing Canada Drugs but Choice of Leader Prompts Criticism":

Hoping to mollify its critics, the Bush administration said Wednesday that it would conduct a yearlong study of how prescription drugs might be safely imported from Canada. But it then infuriated the critics by selecting Dr. Mark B. McClellan, the commissioner of food and drugs, to lead the study.

Dr. McClellan has adamantly opposed any relaxation of the rules barring drug imports. He says such imports would be unsafe, and his agency has threatened legal action against cities and states that help people import Canadian drugs.

The study is required under the new Medicare law, signed by President Bush on Dec. 8. But the administration announced it with fanfare, in an effort to deflect criticism of its policy on the issue, which threatens to delay Senate confirmation of Dr. McClellan for a new position as administrator of the Medicare program.

Tommy G. Thompson, the secretary of health and human services, said the panel studying the matter would be a "balanced commission," would hold hearings and would take testimony from governors and members of Congress on both sides of the issue.

But Senator Byron L. Dorgan, Democrat of North Dakota, said he was astounded that the administration would put Dr. McClellan in charge of the study.

"It's like putting the fox in charge of the chicken house," Mr. Dorgan said. "Dr. McClellan has clearly made up his mind not to allow importation and has done everything in his power to stop it."

A spokeswoman for Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican who like Mr. Dorgan has long been involved in the issue of drug imports from Canada, said he believed that the administration should have chosen "a more objective person."