FDA official who scrutinized COVID shots and antidepressants is out in latest shake-up

WASHINGTON — A Food and Drug Administration official involved in scrutinizing the safety of antidepressants, COVID-19 vaccines and other widely used therapies has been removed from her role leading the agency’s drug program. Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg will be replaced as FDA’s acting drug center director by Dr. Mike Davis, who has been serving as … Read more

Top FDA drug official is trying to hire a friend who’s seeking a bold new warning on antidepressants

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration’s top drug regulator, Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg, is working to hire a researcher and friend who wants the agency to add new warnings to antidepressants about unproven pregnancy risks, The Associated Press has learned. Dr. Adam Urato, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and critic of antidepressant safety, is pressing … Read more

Recent studies challenge Kennedy’s claims about vaccines, Tylenol and antidepressants

They’re prominent talking points for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his top officials: Taking Tylenol while pregnant could be linked to autism. Antidepressants may be harmful during pregnancy. Aluminum salts in vaccines might pose a health risk. And Covid shots don’t benefit healthy kids. The remarks have sowed confusion over the past year, … Read more