FDA Drugs Center Chief Sudden Resignation

SadaNews - The head of the FDA’s drug center unexpectedly resigned yesterday, Sunday, after federal officials began reviewing "serious concerns regarding his personal conduct," according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, stated in an email that Dr. George Tidmarsh, who was appointed to his position at the FDA in July, was placed on temporary administrative leave last Friday after department officials reported concerns related to his behavior. Tidmarsh then resigned Sunday morning.

Hilliard explained that "Secretary Robert Kennedy expects all those working under his leadership to adhere to the highest ethical standards, and he reaffirms his commitment to complete transparency."

This resignation came on the same day that a pharmaceutical company tied to one of Tidmarsh’s former business partners filed a lawsuit accusing him of making "false and defamatory statements" during his work at the FDA. The lawsuit, filed by "Oryzen Pharmaceuticals," claims that Tidmarsh used his position at the FDA to exact "long-standing personal revenge" against the company’s chairman, Kevin Tang.

According to the lawsuit, Tang served as a board member for several pharmaceutical companies where Tidmarsh held executive roles, including "La Jolla Pharmaceutical," and was involved in ousting him from those leadership positions.

Messages sent to Tidmarsh and his lawyer were not immediately responded to as of Sunday evening.

Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur