The organization has criticized the pharmaceutical industry and, more recently, the drug-approval process, which Congress accelerated in 1992 and 1997.

We are reconceptualizing the drug-approval process based on science.

The company has asked the F.D.A. for an accelerated drug-approval process.

Also, an article criticizes the FDA's sloth, and says that computer simulations and small early-stage clinical trials could speed the drug-approval process.

The agency has traditionally focused on the drug-approval process to determine if a drug is safe and effective.

It has passed the animal-testing phases of the drug-approval process in Australia and the United States, which will be followed by initial human safety tests.

Another paradox of the Republicans' criticism concerns the main charge directed at Kessler: that the F.D.A. drags out the drug-approval process interminably.

Dr. Kessler has made great strides in speeding up the drug-approval process, standardizing food labels and moving vigorously to regulate tobacco.

The results were a surprise to Senator Kassebaum, who has drafted a bill to change the agency's drug-approval process.

Eventually the technology should help speed the drug-approval process and lower the cost of drug development.