FDA official Dr. Peter Marks resigns, cites RFK Jr.’s  ‘misinformation’

Dr. Peter Marks, director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA

Photo: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Dr. Peter Marks has resigned from his position as director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration.

Marks was offered the choice of resigning or being fired by Health and Human Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to AP, citing a former FDA official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

RFK Jr. “wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Marks said in his March 28 resignation letter to Dr. Sara Brenner, acting commissioner of Food and Drugs for the FDA.

His resignation is effective April 5.

“Over the past 13 years I have done my best to ensure that we efficiently and effectively applied the best available science to benefit public health. As you are aware, I was willing to work to address the Secretary’s concerns regarding vaccine safety and transparency by hearing from the public and implementing a variety of different public meetings and engagements with the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,” Marks said. “However, it has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.” 

WHY THIS MATTERS

Marks began the letter by saying, “It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to resign from the FDA and retire from federal service as director.” 

He went on to cite accomplishments by his staff and to voice concerns over current policy under the leadership of RFK Jr., who has said he will scrutinize the safety of childhood vaccinations.

During his Senate confirmation hearings, Kennedy was questioned about his controversial views on vaccines but promised he would not change existing vaccine recommendations, according to the AP report.

“Efforts currently being advanced by some on the adverse health effects of vaccination are concerning,” Marks said in the letter. “Undermining confidence in well established vaccines that have met the high standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness that have been in place for decades at FDA is irresponsible, detrimental to public health and a clear danger to our nation’s health, safety. and security.”

He also said, “The ongoing multi state measles outbreak that is particularly severe in Texas reminds us of what happens when confidence in well-established science underlying public health and well-being is undermined.”

THE LARGER TREND

In March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marks said he had the privilege of watching the vision that he conceived for Operation Warp Speed, in collaboration with Dr. Robert Kadlec, become a reality under the leadership of HHS Secretary Alex Azar and President Trump.

FDA staff expedited the development of vaccines against the virus, he said.

The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research has made the development of cell and gene therapies to address both hereditary and acquired rare diseases a priority, he said.

ON THE RECORD

“My hope is that during the coming years, the unprecedented assault on scientific truth that has adversely impacted public health in our nation comes to an end so that the citizens of our country can fully benefit from the breadth of advances in medical science,” Marks said. “Though I will regret not being able to be part of future work at the FDA, I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a remarkable group of individuals as the staff at FDA and will do my best to continue to advance public health in the future.”
 

Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org