Beyond COVID-19: Ousted BARDA Chief’s Whistleblower Complaint Suggests Widespread Politicization of HHS Funding Decisions
Executive Summary
Ousted BARDA Director Rick Bright's whistleblower complaint cites a long-pattern of political interference in scientific decisions making and could lead to overhauls in how BARDA and other HHS contracts are awarded to the drug industry. It could also impact how Congress funds BARDA, following a recent move by lawmakers to give the division more direct control of its funding.
You may also be interested in...
BARDA Funding Freeze Risks Companies Abandoning COVID Therapeutic Work
BARDA’s suspension of funding for COVID-19 therapeutics risks repeating mistakes of past pandemics as it may cause industry to pull out of the development space, experts say. Industry sources are concerned the Biden administration is focusing on funding NIH at the expense of BARDA.
Warp Speed May Be Usurping BARDA, Potentially Hurting COVID-19 Vaccine Prospects
Congress wants HHS to explain why BARDA scientists were removed from leadership positions on COVID-19 vaccine contracts. It is just one of multiple examples of Democrats raising concerns that Operation Warp Speed could be hurting, not helping the COVID-19 response effort.
Coronavirus Notebook: BARDA Contracting Scrutiny; Part D Cost Sharing
Dispatches from a world turned upside down covering a possible US government investigation into BARDA contracting practices and Medicare Part D plans waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 treatments.