By LINDA BOYLE
Dr. Vinay Prasad, a nationally known hematologist-oncologist, took the helm of the FDA’s powerful Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in early May. It was a position with vast influence over vaccines and other biologics.
Just two months later, he abruptly resigned amid a coordinated smear campaign involving Big Pharma, right-wing firebrand Laura Loomer, and critical Wall Street Journal editorials.
Behind the scenes, whispers claimed President Donald Trump wanted him gone, even though Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marti Makary urged him to stay.
Prasad, unwilling to let political drama eclipse the FDA’s mission, stepped aside “to avoid being a distraction,” saying he planned to return to California and spend more time with his family. In doing so, he put the institution and the nation ahead of himself.
But less than two weeks later, he’s back. At Makary’s urging, the White House reinstated Prasad after reviewing the comments Loomer had branded as “disloyal” to Trump. The verdict? There was no “there” there, as Gertrude Stein might put it.
The official announcement by HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon was, “Dr. Vinay Prasad is resuming leadership of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Neither the White House nor HHS will allow the fake news media to distract from the critical work the FDA is carrying out under the Trump Administration.”
Of course, Loomer had to respond with a post on X (formerly Twitter) which said this was an “egregious personnel decision” and then went on to say she plans to “(ramp) up my exposures of officials within HHS and FDA” in the coming weeks.
Big Pharma is watching Prasad’s return closely. It’s uncertain how this will impact Sarepta Therapeutics, which recently had strong disagreements with the FDA over its Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy drug Elevidys before Prasad resigned last month. Interestingly, two days after Prasad resigned, the FDA approved Elevidys for ambulatory DMD patients. Sarepta was allowed to resume shipments, which caused its stock to soar.
And Big Pharma doesn’t know the effect on Pfizer and Moderna, now that the Covid boosters are being restricted to those at risk and those over 65 years old.
Yes, you can still get the jab if you don’t meet those criteria, but will your health insurance company pay for it? You may have to pay in more than one way.
Now let’s get to what’s most important-our children and vaccines. How do we ensure that our children’s vaccines are safe and effective? Why is it we give more vaccines to our children than any other country? Why do we vaccinate our children with vaccines that other countries won’t give due to safety concerns?
It always goes back to follow the money. Somehow the Hippocratic Oath that says “First do no Harm” is not as important as the bottom line.
Linda Boyle, RN, MSN, DM, was formerly the chief nurse for the 3rd Medical Group, JBER, and was the interim director of the Alaska VA. Most recently, she served as Director for Central Alabama VA Healthcare System. She is the director of the Alaska Covid Alliance/Alaskans 4 Personal Freedom.