Indian-origin Vinay Prasad becomes US' top vaccine official. Who is he? Why is he controversial?
Dr Vinay Prasad will be FDA's top vaccine regulator.
— DrMakaryFDA (@DrMakaryFDA)
Prasad's criticism of US health policies
Who is Vinay Prasad? His early life
Controversial oncoologist-haematologist Vinay Prasad will be the FDA's top vaccine regulator. Apart from his extensive research and contribution in the field of oncology, he is known for his scathing remarks against the FDA and US health policies.FDA Commissioner Martin Makary announced Prasad's appointment as the new director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, which oversees review of vaccines, blood products and some genetic medicines.'Dr Prasad brings the kind of scientific rigor, independence, and transparency we need at CBER—a significant step forward,' Makary wrote in a post on the social media site X.In recent years, Prasad has become a regular on podcasts associated with Health Secretary Kennedy's 'Make America Healthy Again' movement.During the pandemic, Dr Prasad found fault with social distancing and expressed doubt over vaccine for children. He also criticized Donald Trump during the pandemic for taking disproven medicines to prevent the spread of the virus and for refusing to use facemasks at the White House.He freely expresses his opinion in X, his Substack called Sensible Medicine and the podcast The Plenary Session. He is the author of the books "Malignant: How Bad Policy and Bad Evidence Harm People with Cancer" and "Ending Medical Reversal: Improving Outcomes, Saving Lives."Born in the US to immigrant parents, Dr Prasad's early life was in Ohio and Chicago. He went to Michigan State University, where he took courses in health care ethics and physiology. He completed his medical degree at the University of Chicago in 2009 and completed a residency in internal medicine at Northwestern University in 2012. From 2015 to 2020, Prasad was assistant and then associate professor at the Oregon Health & Science University. He currently works at San Francisco General Hospital. Prasad is currently a full professor of hematology-oncology at UCSF.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
5 hours ago
- Mint
Texas Law Requiring Warnings on Some Foods Signed by Governor
(Bloomberg) -- Texas legislation that will require warning labels on food and beverages such as M&Ms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fanta will become law after Governor Greg Abbott signed the initiative. Abbott signed Senate Bill 25 on Sunday night — a victory for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, which is looking to remove ingredients such as synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply. Food companies, which have maintained that all of their ingredients are safe, now have until 2027 to eliminate more than 40 ingredients, including dyes and bleached flour, from their products sold in Texas. If they don't, they'll have to include a label on new packaging warning the product contains ingredients 'not recommended for human consumption' by other countries. Many, but not all, of the additives are banned or require warnings in other countries. The law creates a new requirement for packaged-food companies in a state with more than 31 million residents — the second-most populous in the US. Historically, state regulations have triggered national changes as companies look to streamline production. Companies have already started to mobilize amid pressure from the government and activists to remove ingredients that officials have blamed for health problems including hyperactivity, obesity and diabetes in children. Kraft Heinz Co. and General Mills Inc. recently announced the removal of synthetic dyes from their US products by the end of 2027. Industry groups have said no formal agreement exists with the federal government, however. As currently formulated, products including Coca-Cola Co.'s Fanta, PepsiCo Inc.'s Cheetos Crunchy and Nacho Cheese Doritos and Mars Inc.'s Skittles and M&Ms would be subject to the warning labels. So would Kellanova's Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts. Companies can avoid the label requirements for the targeted ingredients if the FDA or USDA declare them safe after Sept. 1. Additionally, if the agencies restrict an ingredient's use, require a warning label, or ban it outright after that same date, then that action would supersede the Texas regulation. If the federal government mandates labeling for 'ultra-processed or processed foods,' that would also supersede Texas' required labels. Barring these conditions or new qualifications for the ingredients' use from the federal government, the warnings will be required on labels beginning in 2027. Questions remain in the industry about how the legislation will be implemented. The law applies for any food labeling copyrighted or developed beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, and under one interpretation, that means it only applies when a company next updates its packaging. Gary Huddleston, a grocery-industry consultant for the Texas Retailers Association, said companies will be able to wait until they reformulate a product or otherwise change their labels. Ingredients listed in the Texas law include BHT, a food additive, titanium dioxide, used for food coloring, and DATEM, an emulsifier. Lawsuits from packaged-food producers are expected. 'I don't expect that to be the end of the debate here,' said Smitha Stansbury, a partner at King & Spalding's FDA and Life Sciences practice, predicting the law will be 'subject to litigation.' 'There's precedent for food companies to challenge this law under First Amendment grounds,' said Seth Mailhot, a partner at Husch Blackwell and the leader of the law firm's FDA group. The food industry has argued that the legislation is too broad. It has also criticized the idea of making policy based on foreign governments' classification of ingredients, as opposed to US or Texas regulators. --With assistance from Deena Shanker. More stories like this are available on
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
This drug offers 99.9% protection against HIV, but there's a catch
The US FDA has approved lenacapavir, the first twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention, which provides near-complete protection. However, its cost — ₹24 lakh per shot — may make it inaccessible in India
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Major chocolate recall sweeps U.S stores — here's why your favorite sweet treat might be unsafe
Weaver Nut Company is recalling certain semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils distributed throughout the United States. If you recently purchased semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils from a grocery or retail store, you should double-check the lot number. Major chocolate recall sweeps U.S. stores: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a news release on Wednesday that Weaver Nut Company was recalling its semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils with white or Christmas-colored seeds, with particular lot codes, due to possible unreported milk allergies, as per a report by Newsweek. Although no illnesses have been reported, people who are allergic to milk face a serious risk. The chocolates were sold through supermarkets and retail stores throughout the United States. ALSO READ: McDonald's boycott June 24: Who's behind it, why it's happening, and how long it will last Why is your favourite sweet treat unsafe? According to the FDA's release, the problem was discovered after a wholesale customer complained about differences in product specifications. Live Events The chocolates were labelled as being free of milk, but later laboratory testing revealed that they did contain milk proteins, it added. It further stated that consuming the affected items could result in severe or fatal allergic reactions for people with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity. One of the top nine allergens that the FDA requires to be declared is milk, and improper labelling can be very risky. Why is this recall important? According to the Pennsylvania-based Weaver Nut Company, the recall is a preventative step to protect the public's health. The business is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its products. Which chocolates are affected? Customers are advised to verify product lot codes and return or dispose of any impacted items. Throw away the items or return them to the store for a complete refund. Lot numbers 204206, 204207, 204208, 204209, 204212, 224225 are for Item 47518-Nonpareil, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (Christmas Seeds). Lot numbers 204214-RL, 204214, 204215, 224221, 224222, 224223, 135215, 135216, 135217, 135220, 135221, 145204, 145205-1, 145207-1, and 145210-1 are for Item D2645, Nonpareils, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (White Seeds), as per a report by Newsweek. FAQs What do I do if I have these chocolates? Check the lot number, and if it is recalled, do not eat it. Return it for a refund or dispose of it. Why is the recall so serious? Milk is a major allergen, and consuming it when allergic can result in serious or life-threatening reactions. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
