Dr. George Tidmarsh, the FDA’s top drug regulator and head of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, was placed on administrative leave Friday after officials were alerted to “serious” concerns about his personal conduct, HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard said. STAT News reported accusations he misused regulatory power to harm a former associate; Tidmarsh denied it, telling ABC News the move was retaliation for criticizing a fast-track drug review process. He said it circumvents debate and puts Vinay Prasad in charge. Hilliard said he had resigned; Tidmarsh said he’s still weighing it, calling the FDA “toxic.”

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.