FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Citing Concerns Over Kennedy's Stance on Vaccines; BIO Statement
The Food and Drug Administration's top vaccine official, Dr. Peter Marks, has resigned under pressure, directly criticizing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s approach to vaccine policy in his departure.
In his resignation letter to Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Marks wrote: "It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies." Marks was reportedly given the option to resign or be fired during a meeting at the Department of Health and Human Services on Friday.
In a subsequent interview, Marks reinforced his concerns, stating: "This man doesn't care about the truth. He cares about what is making him followers."
John F. Crowley, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), praised Marks' tenure in a statement following the announcement: "Under the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA shepherded in a new era of scientific breakthroughs -- from new vaccines to curative cell and gene therapies that have strengthened and saved the lives of millions of patients and families."
Crowley expressed concern about potential ramifications for healthcare innovation, noting: "We are deeply concerned that the loss of experienced leadership at the FDA will erode scientific standards and broadly impact the development of new, transformative therapies to fight diseases for the American people."
BIO emphasized its commitment to working with the new Commissioner and administration while stressing the importance of upholding scientific expertise and high standards at health institutions.
