Lizzy Lawrence
@lizzylawrence.bsky.social
Journalist @statnews.bsky.social, writing about the Food and Drug Administration. Tips welcome! Signal is lizzylaw.53
Reposted by Lizzy Lawrence
Holy shit. HHS says the Africa CDC "is a powerless, fake organization attempting to manufacture credibility by repeating its claims publicly. It is not a reliable source, and its statements should be treated accordingly."
NEW: We're publishing an astonishing outburst the Dep of Health and Human Services left in our inbox.
In an unsolicited email about our coverage of a horrific vaccine experiment, the HHS insisted the Africa CDC was an unreliable source for information, calling it "fake" and "powerless."
In an unsolicited email about our coverage of a horrific vaccine experiment, the HHS insisted the Africa CDC was an unreliable source for information, calling it "fake" and "powerless."
Trump's HHS Trashes Top African Health Organization as "Fake" and "Powerless"
The HHS is disparaging its colleagues at the Africa CDC in coarse terms, that are striking even by the standards of the Trump administration.
futurism.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Holy shit. HHS says the Africa CDC "is a powerless, fake organization attempting to manufacture credibility by repeating its claims publicly. It is not a reliable source, and its statements should be treated accordingly."
Reposted by Lizzy Lawrence
We have the CDC-funded Hepatitis Vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau protocol.
It’s worse than you thought.
Check it out, first in Inside Medicine…
with @pauloffit.bsky.social David Boulware and others.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-the-...
It’s worse than you thought.
Check it out, first in Inside Medicine…
with @pauloffit.bsky.social David Boulware and others.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-the-...
Scoop: The leaked protocol of the CDC-funded Hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau. “This is another Tuskegee.”
The protocol reveals that the trial will withhold the Hepatitis B birth dose from thousands—without placebos, without universal maternal screening, and with endpoints critics call indefensible.
insidemedicine.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:57 AM
We have the CDC-funded Hepatitis Vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau protocol.
It’s worse than you thought.
Check it out, first in Inside Medicine…
with @pauloffit.bsky.social David Boulware and others.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-the-...
It’s worse than you thought.
Check it out, first in Inside Medicine…
with @pauloffit.bsky.social David Boulware and others.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-the-...
NEW: Kennedy added two OB-GYNs to vaccine advisory panel amid review of shots for pregnant women. Their names are Adam Urato and Kimberly Biss. Learn more about them here: www.statnews.com/2026/01/13/n...
Kennedy adds two OB-GYNs to vaccine advisory panel amid review of shots for pregnant women
ACIP is reviewing the shots recommended for pregnant women as RFK Jr. upends federal vaccine policy.
www.statnews.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:34 PM
NEW: Kennedy added two OB-GYNs to vaccine advisory panel amid review of shots for pregnant women. Their names are Adam Urato and Kimberly Biss. Learn more about them here: www.statnews.com/2026/01/13/n...
Read @elaineywchen.bsky.social's write-up of former top FDA drug regulator Rick Pazdur's explosive panel at STAT's event at #JPM2026 last night, moderated by @matthewherper.bsky.social. Drug makers should be more concerned by what's happening at FDA, Pazdur said. www.statnews.com/2026/01/13/r...
Pazdur warns that politics, ‘chaos’ are damaging FDA
At a STAT event, veteran drug regulator Richard Pazdur, who left the FDA last month after 26 years, said that politics and 'chaos' were damaging the agency.
www.statnews.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Read @elaineywchen.bsky.social's write-up of former top FDA drug regulator Rick Pazdur's explosive panel at STAT's event at #JPM2026 last night, moderated by @matthewherper.bsky.social. Drug makers should be more concerned by what's happening at FDA, Pazdur said. www.statnews.com/2026/01/13/r...
Important reporting from @HelenBranswell and @jaspar: The US is now a global outlier when it comes to vaccine schedules, recommending fewer vaccines than most of its peers. www.statnews.com/2026/01/09/c...
When it comes to vaccine schedules, the U.S. is now the outlier
A STAT analysis of vaccine recommendations in 38 countries suggests the U.S. is now an outlier.
www.statnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Important reporting from @HelenBranswell and @jaspar: The US is now a global outlier when it comes to vaccine schedules, recommending fewer vaccines than most of its peers. www.statnews.com/2026/01/09/c...
A little scoopy tidbit in STAT's DC Diagnosis newsletter today: Vinay Prasad wants access to FDA employees' calendars, though his own is largely private. He has also instructed employees not to tell their supervisors when he reaches out to schedule meetings.
January 8, 2026 at 3:07 PM
A little scoopy tidbit in STAT's DC Diagnosis newsletter today: Vinay Prasad wants access to FDA employees' calendars, though his own is largely private. He has also instructed employees not to tell their supervisors when he reaches out to schedule meetings.
Reposted by Lizzy Lawrence
Nearly half of Trump-appointed experts involved in shaping the new dietary guidelines have financial ties to meat and dairy industries.
Exclusive with @sarah-todd.bsky.social and @elizabethcooney.bsky.social -->
www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/n...
Exclusive with @sarah-todd.bsky.social and @elizabethcooney.bsky.social -->
www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/n...
Panel behind new dietary guidelines had financial ties to beef, dairy industries
The industry connections of an advisory panel for the new dietary guidelines are notable, especially in light Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s criticism of corporate influence.
www.statnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Nearly half of Trump-appointed experts involved in shaping the new dietary guidelines have financial ties to meat and dairy industries.
Exclusive with @sarah-todd.bsky.social and @elizabethcooney.bsky.social -->
www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/n...
Exclusive with @sarah-todd.bsky.social and @elizabethcooney.bsky.social -->
www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/n...
The FDA is easing regulation for wearable devices and AI-enabled clinical decision support tools. Commissioner Makary intro'd the news at #CES2026, telling attendees the FDA will "get out of the way" and "promote AI." Read our news analysis:
www.statnews.com/2026/01/06/f...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/06/f...
FDA announces sweeping changes to oversight of wearables, AI-enabled devices
The FDA will ease regulation of digital health products, aiming to deregulate AI and promote its widespread use.
www.statnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:01 PM
The FDA is easing regulation for wearable devices and AI-enabled clinical decision support tools. Commissioner Makary intro'd the news at #CES2026, telling attendees the FDA will "get out of the way" and "promote AI." Read our news analysis:
www.statnews.com/2026/01/06/f...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/06/f...
The Trump administration has dramatically slashed the childhood vaccine schedule. Medical experts have called the changes "dangerous and unnecessary." Read our analysis of the news and what it means for public health:
www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c...
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive
The number of recommended childhood shots drops from 17 to 11.
www.statnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:04 PM
The Trump administration has dramatically slashed the childhood vaccine schedule. Medical experts have called the changes "dangerous and unnecessary." Read our analysis of the news and what it means for public health:
www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c...
As we close out the year, wanted to share this running list of FDA leadership departures one last time. Some new names on there include digital health director Jessica Paulsen, and director of clinical policy in the chief medical office Shari Targum.
www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
A running list of senior FDA officials who have left the agency
Here is a running list of senior FDA officials who have left the agency recently.
www.statnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
As we close out the year, wanted to share this running list of FDA leadership departures one last time. Some new names on there include digital health director Jessica Paulsen, and director of clinical policy in the chief medical office Shari Targum.
www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
Here are three key issues to watch at the FDA as Commissioner Makary struggles to stabilize the agency.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/22/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/22/f...
3 key issues to watch at FDA as Makary struggles to stabilize the agency
3 key issues to watch at FDA as Makary struggles to stabilize the agency
www.statnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Here are three key issues to watch at the FDA as Commissioner Makary struggles to stabilize the agency.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/22/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/22/f...
EXCLUSIVE: The FDA voucher program has become a vehicle for politicization of drug review, staffers say. Staff have been forced to award certain companies vouchers due to White House deals, and at least one voucher was awarded despite staff concerns.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/19/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/19/f...
FDA voucher program has become vehicle for political interference in drug review decisions, staffers say
Two government officials told STAT that the White House has been involved in final decisions about the FDA's new priority review voucher program for drug companies.
www.statnews.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
EXCLUSIVE: The FDA voucher program has become a vehicle for politicization of drug review, staffers say. Staff have been forced to award certain companies vouchers due to White House deals, and at least one voucher was awarded despite staff concerns.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/19/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/19/f...
W/ @helenbranswell.bsky.social: The CDC has awarded $1.6 million to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top Food and Drug Administration official Tracy Beth Høeg. The funding is for a study on hepatitis B vaccines that some experts say may be unethical. www.statnews.com/2025/12/18/c...
CDC awards grant to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top FDA official
CDC awards grant to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top FDA official Tracy Beth Høeg.
www.statnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:11 PM
W/ @helenbranswell.bsky.social: The CDC has awarded $1.6 million to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top Food and Drug Administration official Tracy Beth Høeg. The funding is for a study on hepatitis B vaccines that some experts say may be unethical. www.statnews.com/2025/12/18/c...
Reposted by Lizzy Lawrence
We updated this story with some insights from lawyers and policy experts on whether or not CMS has the legal authority to do this, what challenges to the rules may look like, and when those challenges can happen. Take a read:
December 18, 2025 at 8:35 PM
We updated this story with some insights from lawyers and policy experts on whether or not CMS has the legal authority to do this, what challenges to the rules may look like, and when those challenges can happen. Take a read:
Don't miss this investigation from @tarabannow.bsky.social and @caseyross.bsky.social into the way Humana tweaked the presentation of its data to indicate that their corporate business model was the best way to care for older Americans.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
Data on Humana’s clinics looked dismal. Then its corporate research machine got to work
STAT investigation: Internal documents show how Humana is reshaping the debate over Medicare Advantage.
www.statnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Don't miss this investigation from @tarabannow.bsky.social and @caseyross.bsky.social into the way Humana tweaked the presentation of its data to indicate that their corporate business model was the best way to care for older Americans.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
Reposted by Lizzy Lawrence
“The only reason I don’t have this funding is because my last name is Rodriguez.”
MOSAIC checked many of the boxes of the administration — but that didn't matter. It was terminated, and left grantees scrambling
Next installment of American Science, Shattered:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/t...
MOSAIC checked many of the boxes of the administration — but that didn't matter. It was terminated, and left grantees scrambling
Next installment of American Science, Shattered:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/t...
NIH shut out hundreds of young scientists from funding to start their own labs
Special Report: The NIH has shut out hundreds of young scientists from funding to start their own labs.
www.statnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:51 PM
“The only reason I don’t have this funding is because my last name is Rodriguez.”
MOSAIC checked many of the boxes of the administration — but that didn't matter. It was terminated, and left grantees scrambling
Next installment of American Science, Shattered:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/t...
MOSAIC checked many of the boxes of the administration — but that didn't matter. It was terminated, and left grantees scrambling
Next installment of American Science, Shattered:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/t...
NEW: I dug deep into new top drug regulator Tracy Beth Høeg's record at the FDA so far, talked to agency staff, and even found some old and interesting blog posts, to get a sense of how she'll lead the drug center. TLDR, staff are worried. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
FDA staff fear Tracy Beth Høeg will bring bias and instability to embattled drug center
Høeg is set to become the fifth head of the FDA's drug center in a year.
www.statnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:41 PM
NEW: I dug deep into new top drug regulator Tracy Beth Høeg's record at the FDA so far, talked to agency staff, and even found some old and interesting blog posts, to get a sense of how she'll lead the drug center. TLDR, staff are worried. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/t...
It was an honor to join this conversation. You can watch below:
🔴 LIVE NOW: Join our conversation about how sources’ fear of retaliation can muzzle facts, featuring @lizzylawrence.bsky.social, @gracehussain.bsky.social, @fastlerner.bsky.social, Emily Spatz, @harloholm.es and @caitlinvogus.bsky.social.
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIyR...
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIyR...
December 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
It was an honor to join this conversation. You can watch below:
Reposted by Lizzy Lawrence
🔔 We’re all less informed when journalists’ sources fear retaliation. Tomorrow, join our live webinar with @lizzylawrence.bsky.social, @gracehussain.bsky.social, @fastlerner.bsky.social, Emily Spatz, @harloholm.es and @caitlinvogus.bsky.social.
🕒 2 p.m. EST
RSVP: freedom.press/silenced-sou...
🕒 2 p.m. EST
RSVP: freedom.press/silenced-sou...
December 8, 2025 at 8:14 PM
🔔 We’re all less informed when journalists’ sources fear retaliation. Tomorrow, join our live webinar with @lizzylawrence.bsky.social, @gracehussain.bsky.social, @fastlerner.bsky.social, Emily Spatz, @harloholm.es and @caitlinvogus.bsky.social.
🕒 2 p.m. EST
RSVP: freedom.press/silenced-sou...
🕒 2 p.m. EST
RSVP: freedom.press/silenced-sou...
W/ Damian Garde on the ground in NYC: Vinay Prasad, FDA’s vaccine regulator, waves off criticism in closed-door remarks
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/v...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/v...
Vinay Prasad, FDA’s vaccine regulator, waves off criticism in closed-door remarks
In a closed meeting, Vinay Prasad pushes back on criticism of his vaccine policy changes, morale issues at the FDA, and his role in recent drug-approval turbulence.
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:09 PM
W/ Damian Garde on the ground in NYC: Vinay Prasad, FDA’s vaccine regulator, waves off criticism in closed-door remarks
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/v...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/v...
Reposted by Lizzy Lawrence
ICYMI: @lizzylawrence.bsky.social in @statnews.com News scooped that the @fda.gov is planning to require only a single pivotal clinical trial to be the basis of drug approval, rather than 2 or more.
December 4, 2025 at 4:29 PM
ICYMI: @lizzylawrence.bsky.social in @statnews.com News scooped that the @fda.gov is planning to require only a single pivotal clinical trial to be the basis of drug approval, rather than 2 or more.
I know there's a lot of news but if you can tear yourself away from the CDC vaccine committee today — you should really read this series on how the Trump administration has upended science in just 10 months, from my incredibly talented colleagues:
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
American Science, Shattered
An eight-decade partnership between universities and the federal government made U.S. science preeminent. It took Trump less than a year to shred that
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I know there's a lot of news but if you can tear yourself away from the CDC vaccine committee today — you should really read this series on how the Trump administration has upended science in just 10 months, from my incredibly talented colleagues:
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
NEW: FDA will lower the number of clinical trials required for medical product approval from two to one. I obtained a draft of the press release and got to talk to FDA Commissioner Makary about it, and some other things, yesterday:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/f...
FDA to lower number of trials required for approval of drugs, other medical products
The FDA plans to begin requiring one clinical study, instead of the standard two, for medical products before consideration for approval.
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
NEW: FDA will lower the number of clinical trials required for medical product approval from two to one. I obtained a draft of the press release and got to talk to FDA Commissioner Makary about it, and some other things, yesterday:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/f...
Reposted by Lizzy Lawrence
And if you're wondering who Tracy Beth Høeg is, @lizzylawrence.bsky.social already has a profile for you:
www.statnews.com/2025/05/19/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/19/t...
Inside the rise of Tracy Beth Høeg, the Covid contrarian shaping FDA vaccine policy
Høeg has been skeptical of the safety and value of some vaccines and mandates, raising questions about her approach at the FDA.
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:17 AM
And if you're wondering who Tracy Beth Høeg is, @lizzylawrence.bsky.social already has a profile for you:
www.statnews.com/2025/05/19/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/19/t...
BREAKING: Tracy Beth Høeg will lead the FDA's drug center. W/ @ChelseaCirruzzo www.statnews.com/2025/12/03/t...
Tracy Beth Høeg, Makary aide who investigated Covid vaccines, to lead FDA drug center
Tracy Beth Høeg, a top lieutenant to Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, will be the next leader of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:12 AM
BREAKING: Tracy Beth Høeg will lead the FDA's drug center. W/ @ChelseaCirruzzo www.statnews.com/2025/12/03/t...