Vinay Prasad, the Chief Medical and Science Officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has stepped down from his position, according to confirmation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the agency.
In a statement on Tuesday, the HHS noted that Dr. Prasad chose to resign to avoid becoming a distraction to the FDA’s work during the current administration. He will return to California to spend more time with his family.
“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,” the statement read. “We thank him for his service and the many important reforms he helped advance during his tenure.”
His resignation follows recent scrutiny surrounding the FDA’s management of Elevidys, a gene therapy treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy developed by Sarepta Therapeutics. The agency initially halted the drug’s distribution following the deaths of several patients but reversed the decision earlier this week.
Prasad, an oncologist and known critic of previous FDA leadership and COVID-19-related policies, was appointed as director of the agency’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in May. In June, he was reportedly elevated to the role of chief medical and science officer, as reported by STAT News, which also first broke news of his departure.
His exit adds to the ongoing debate over regulatory transparency and oversight as the FDA navigates increasing public scrutiny and evolving expectations for medical product safety.
