Unexpected resignation of the head of the U.S. drug center at the FDA amid investigations into 'personal conduct'

The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug center, George Tidmarsh, unexpectedly announced his resignation yesterday, Sunday, just days after a federal review began concerning what were described as 'serious' concerns about his personal conduct.

Tidmarsh had taken up his position last July.


Temporary suspension before resignation

Emily Hilliard, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stated via official email that Tidmarsh was temporarily suspended from work last Friday after the Office of the General Counsel was informed of the mentioned concerns, before he submitted his resignation yesterday.

She added that Secretary Robert Kennedy 'expects the highest ethical standards from those who work under his administration and reaffirms his commitment to full transparency.'


Lawsuit on the same day

The resignation coincided with a legal move in which the company 'Orynna Pharmaceutical' filed a lawsuit against Tidmarsh, accusing him of making 'false and defamatory statements' during his tenure at the FDA and using his position to settle a 'long-standing personal vendetta' against the company's chairman, Kevin Tang.

According to the lawsuit, Tang had previously been a board member of pharmaceutical companies led by Tidmarsh, including 'La Jolla Pharmaceutical,' and contributed to his ousting from leadership positions there.

As of last night, no responses had been issued from Tidmarsh or his legal team regarding requests for comment.