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19h ago

Vinay Prasad Resigns as FDA’s Chief Medical and Scientific Officer After Three Months

His departure followed a campaign by activist Laura Loomer coupled with White House pressure.

FILE - The Food and Drug Administration seal is seen at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Dr. Vinay Prasad, a prominent critic of the pharmaceutical industry and the Food and Drug Administration, has been named to oversee the health agency’s program for vaccines and biotech drugs.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 06: Dr. Vinay Prasad is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Oregon health and science university. His research is on health policy, cost of drugs, evidence based medicine. In his practice, he takes care of patients with cancer. He is one of the panelists attending the Chasing Cancer Summit in Washington, D.C. on December, 06, 2016. (Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Dr. Vinay Prasad was appointed director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research on May 6 and later named the agency’s chief medical and scientific officer.
  • Under Prasad’s leadership, the FDA tightened COVID-19 vaccine approvals by overruling internal reviewers to restrict Moderna and Novavax shots to high-risk populations.
  • He pressed safety reviews of gene therapies, including a temporary halt of Sarepta’s Elevidys for Duchenne muscular dystrophy after patient deaths.
  • His resignation followed a high-profile campaign by right-wing influencer Laura Loomer and reported White House pressure for him to step down.
  • HHS publicly thanked him for his reforms and the FDA is preparing to install new leadership while vaccine and gene therapy policies remain under debate.