Top FDA official quits amid inquiry into ‘serious concerns’ over his conduct

Lawsuit claims George Tidmarsh, head of FDA drug center, waged personal vendetta against pharmaceutical executive

The head of the US Food and Drug Administration's drug center abruptly resigned on Sunday after federal officials began reviewing serious concerns about his personal conduct", according to a government spokesperson.

Dr George Tidmarsh, who was named to the FDA post in July, was placed on leave on Friday after officials in the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) office of general counsel were notified of the issues, the HHS press secretary, Emily Hilliard, said in an email. Tidmarsh then resigned on Sunday morning.