FDA Policy/General

FDAer Quits, Flips Off Trump/Vance in Viral Post

FDA Office of Privacy information specialist Elizabeth Booker Houston’s recent departure after five years at the agency has gone viral following her dramatic resignation announcement with a pointed message for the White House. The lawyer, public health professional, and stand-up comedian took to Instagram last weekend, according to Newsweek, to share a photo of herself giving the middle finger to pictures of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, which hang on the wall at FDA’s headquarters in White Oak, MD. The caption read:

“As of today, I am no longer with the FDA, HHS, or any federal agency. I stayed for as long as possible during this transition, but now, I need to fight from outside. Thank you to my fellow civilian servants who are valiantly opposing this regime.”

The post has been liked more than 187,000 times and quickly drew attention from both supporters and critics.

In addition to her farewell gesture, Houston posted photos of her cubicle, decorated with quotes from figures such as Michelle Obama and Rosa Parks, as well as an automatic out-of-office message accusing the administration of “dismantling our public health systems” and making “incompetent hires,” Newsweek reports. She called recent firings at the agency “illegal,” though she did not provide specifics.

Houston, who has over half a million Instagram followers, gained national attention at the 2024 Democratic National Convention after a viral exchange with conservative commentator Ann Coulter. She told followers in a follow-up video that she had worked nearly a decade in public service but “had to leave” because the work had become unsustainable.

Houston has recently accepted a position at George Washington University as an adjunct professor, according to her LinkedIn page.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome