FDA PR chief ousted after plasma blunder

Spokeswoman loses job for exaggerating data on potential benefits of therapy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has removed a top communications official in wake of misleading claims the agency made about

It remains unclear whether Emily Miller, who was assistant commissioner for media affairs, will remain at the agency in some capacity.

“Effectively immediately, Emily Miller will no longer serve the FDA as the assistant commissioner for media affairs and will no longer be the official spokesperson for the agency,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in an email to senior managers.

Facing criticism

Hahn, Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar have been sharply criticized for the way they exaggerated data on plasma’s potential benefits.

President Donald Trump earlier announced the FDA was granting emergency authorisation to plasma as a treatment for Covid-19.

The administration officials suggested it could reduce mortality by 35 per cent - but that number referred to a subgroup of patients who were treated early in their disease, were under 80 and not on ventilators. It was also incorrect to say, as Hahn did, that the data meant that of 100 people who are sick with Covid-19, 35 would have been saved because of the administration of plasma.

Far from breakthrough

Scientists say convalescent plasma might offer a modest benefit but is far from a breakthrough.

Earlier this week, Hahn apologised repeatedly for misrepresenting the findings. Pines said in an interview that he had urged Hahn to correct the erroneous statements.