John "Wolf" Wagner has been removed from his position as the FDA's associate commissioner for external affairs, according to Politico.
Mr. Wagner held his role at the FDA for only two months. His dismissal from that position follows the agency's Aug. 28 removal of its chief spokesperson, Emily Miller, from her role after serving just two weeks. The FDA also terminated the contract of public relations consultant Wayne Pines on Aug. 27.
The agency has received criticism from the medical community and public after its commissioner, Stephen Hahn, MD, made misleading statements about the effectiveness of blood plasma as a COVID-19 treatment. This prompted a statement from Dr. Hahn, who tweeted that the backlash was "entirely justified."
Dr. Hahn told staff that Heidi Rebello will take over Mr. Wagner's role and Michael Felberbaum will take over the role left by Ms. Miller, who is remaining at the FDA in an advisory position, according to Politico. Mr. Wagner will now work on Operation Warp Speed, the White House task force to speed delivery of a safe and effective vaccine, Politico reported.