From Staff Writer
Dr. Peter Marks, the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research, has been forced to step down following growing tensions within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with sources citing a direct ultimatum from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Marks, a key figure in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and other biologic treatments, resigned on Friday after an ultimatum was delivered to him. According to reports, he was told to either resign or face dismissal from his position. His resignation, effective from 5th April, came after he expressed strong criticism of Kennedy’s leadership and public stance on vaccine safety.
In an emotional resignation letter obtained by CBS News, Marks denounced what he described as an “unprecedented assault on scientific truth,” which he argued has negatively affected public health. He condemned the Secretary for spreading “misinformation and lies,” stating that it was evident that under Kennedy’s leadership, “truth and transparency are not desired.”
Marks also expressed hope that the ongoing attacks on scientific integrity would eventually come to an end, allowing the public to fully benefit from the medical advances that have been made over the years.
The resignation comes amid a wider shake-up within the FDA, with major restructuring underway under Kennedy’s direction, which includes the planned elimination of up to 20,000 positions within the Department. Furthermore, the reshuffle also accompanies the confirmation of Dr. Marty Makary as the FDA’s new commissioner, though he has yet to make any public statements, leaving the agency in a period of uncertainty.
Marks, who was instrumental in the creation of the Operation Warp Speed initiative during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, has faced considerable scrutiny over the years for various decisions, including the approval of controversial drugs and treatments, and for pushing forward COVID-19 vaccine booster programmes. Despite the criticisms, Marks earned credit for his pivotal role in the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccines, with some federal health officials pointing to his vision as the key factor in the success of Operation Warp Speed.
Kennedy, however, has made vaccine safety and transparency a focal point of his administration, clashing with Marks and other officials who have stood by the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Marks, in an earlier statement, revealed he had been open to addressing Kennedy’s concerns and had proposed public meetings with external groups like the National Academy of Sciences to engage in constructive dialogue about vaccine safety.
As the FDA braces for further changes and an uncertain future, the resignation of Dr. Marks marks a significant moment in the ongoing political and scientific debates surrounding vaccine policy in the U.S.
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