Vinay Prasad Returns from FDA CBER to Critique Public-Health System

Vinay Prasad, a UCSF professor and former director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, discusses his transition from outspoken COVID-era critic to insider and back again. He explains why he rejected Moderna’s mRNA flu-vaccine application, citing an inadequate control arm, and defends a leaked internal memo that listed at least ten children who died after COVID-19 vaccination, which he says was later down-scaled for political reasons.

Prasad describes the intense criticism he faced from one outlet, Laura Loomer and other commentators, and notes that his time at the agency convinced him that a more libertarian, consumer-driven model could improve drug access. He also critiques Anthony Fauci’s pandemic diaries, warns that AI-enabled drug discovery may outstrip current regulatory capacity, and calls for a more balanced, humble public-health system to regain public trust.