FDA intrigue, Covid-19 vaccine timelines, and editing elected officials

Should the FDA commissioner resign? How fast can vaccine trials move? And what do Chelsea Clinton and Chuck Grassley have in common?

We discuss all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. First, Eric Topol of Scripps Research calls in to discuss his fiery criticism of FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and the future of the agency’s reputation. Then, we talk to STAT’s Matthew Herper about how vaccines for Covid-19 might prove their worth before the end of the year. Finally, STAT’s op-ed page, First Opinion, hit a milestone this week, publishing its 2,000th piece, and First Opinion editor Patrick Skerrett joins us for a look behind the scenes and a glimpse at the future.

For more on what we cover, here’s Topol’s latest critique; here’s the news on vaccines; here are the most recent First Opinions; and here’s STAT’s complete coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

We’ll be back next Thursday evening — and every Thursday evening — so be sure to sign up on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

And if you have any feedback for us — topics to cover, guests to invite, vocal tics to cease — you can email [email protected].

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