**Top FDA Drug Regulator Resigns Amid Allegations of “Revenge Campaign” and Ethical Violations**
The top drug regulator at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. George Tidmarsh, resigned on Sunday following revelations that he undertook a “revenge campaign” against a former colleague, according to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal.
Dr. Tidmarsh was appointed in June 2025 to lead the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). However, he was accused of accepting bribes and defaming a former colleague in a lawsuit filed by a Canadian pharmaceutical company in Maryland.
The lawsuit, brought by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, centers around accusations that Tidmarsh caused over $350 million in damages. The pharmaceutical company, known for producing the kidney drug voclosporin, claims that Tidmarsh’s LinkedIn post falsely stated the drug had “not been shown to provide a direct clinical benefit for patients.”
This public statement, described by the Wall Street Journal as “unusual” for someone in Tidmarsh’s position, triggered a 20% plunge in Aurinia’s stock price, wiping out more than $350 million in market value.
Tidmarsh had been placed on administrative leave by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Friday due to “serious concerns about his personal conduct.” The department is led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who emphasized the importance of ethical standards and transparency in a statement to the Wall Street Journal.
“Secretary Kennedy expects the highest ethical standards from all individuals serving under his leadership and remains committed to full transparency,” an HHS spokesperson said.
The report suggests that Tidmarsh’s actions against Aurinia were motivated by a personal feud with the company’s board chair, Kevin Tang. It is also indicated that Tang played a role in forcing Tidmarsh to resign as CEO of a previous drug company before Tidmarsh joined the FDA administration.
This scandal raises critical questions about ethics and accountability within regulatory agencies tasked with safeguarding public health. Further developments are anticipated as investigations continue.
https://www.rawstory.com/health-and-human-services-2674258181/
