Top FDA official resigns under hail of right-wing criticism

The Food and Drug Administration's top vaccine and gene therapy official resigned Tuesday after a public campaign against him led by right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, according to people familiar with the matter.

- CHRISTINA JEWITT

Over the past week, Ms Loomer had taken to social media to attack the official, Dr Vinay Prasad, for a series of decisions denying approval of new drugs for rare diseases. She highlighted past statements of support he had made for prominent figures on the political left, including Sen Bernie Sanders, 1-Vermont.

Andrew Nixon, a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson, confirmed the resignation Tuesday evening.

“Dr Prasad did not want to be a distraction to the great work of the FDA in the Trump administration and has decided to return to California and spend more time with his family,’ Mr Nixon said in a statement. “We thank him for his service and the many important reforms he was able to achieve in his time at FDA”