Controversial FDA Official Vinay Prasad Abruptly Resigns
So here’s what’s been making headlines—Dr. Vinay Prasad, a well-known and often controversial figure, has just stepped down from his post at the FDA, less than three months after he took it. If you're wondering who he is and why this matters, let me break it down.
Dr. Prasad, a hematologist-oncologist by training, was appointed in May to lead the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. That’s the division that oversees vaccines and biologic medicines—definitely not a low-profile role. Soon after, he was also named the FDA’s chief medical and scientific officer, giving him a significant amount of influence in the agency.
Now, from the beginning, his appointment raised some eyebrows. Prasad had long been a vocal critic of the federal government’s pandemic policies, especially around vaccines. So, while he had the credentials, his public stance didn’t exactly align with mainstream public health messaging, which led to some skepticism.
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According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Prasad’s departure was his own decision. They said he didn’t want to become a “distraction” to the FDA’s work and planned to return to California to spend time with his family. But it’s hard to ignore the pressure that had been mounting behind the scenes.
The Wall Street Journal calling him a “Bernie Sanders acolyte.”
Just before all this, Prasad had also overridden internal FDA recommendations on Covid-19 vaccine guidance, stirring internal criticism. And he had famously criticized the FDA’s approval of Sarepta’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug, which—ironically—the agency had just paused and then resumed distributing, all while he was still in charge.
Though some, like FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, praised him as a brilliant scientist, the political storm may have simply become too much to weather.
In the end, this isn’t just a personnel change—it reflects the ongoing tug-of-war between science, politics, and public health. And clearly, in today’s climate, even a top scientist can find themselves caught in the crossfire.
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