Congressman Abe Hamadeh is asking the Food and Drug Administration to halt its recent actions against certain thyroid medications following the resignation of a top FDA official amid serious allegations.
The issue involves desiccated thyroid medications, drugs that have been used safely for decades to help people with thyroid problems. Earlier this year, the FDA started taking steps to remove these medications from the market, prompting concern from patients who rely on them.
On November 2, Dr. George Tidmarsh resigned as Director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. He left during an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services.
A pharmaceutical company called Aurinia claimed that Tidmarsh misused his power to push for the removal of desiccated thyroid drugs from store shelves.
Hamadeh cites reports showing Tidmarsh targeted several companies that make these medications, including American Laboratories, which produces key ingredients for the thyroid drugs that patients currently use.
Protecting the Medication
Back in August, before these allegations came out, Hamadeh had already written to FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary asking why the agency was going after medications with proven safety records.
The congressman expressed concern that restrictions would affect patients who depend on these treatments.
Now, Hamadeh wants the FDA to cancel or pause any actions against these thyroid drugs that started in July 2025 or later, when Tidmarsh took his position. He believes the FDA should wait until a full review is complete.
"It was clear to me based on the feedback that I have received from countless constituents that the FDA's action against these medications was likely not science based," Hamadeh said. Many people in his district told him these FDA actions would make their lives harder.
Hamadeh commended the swift action in placing Tidmarsh on administrative leave. He emphasized that FDA regulatory actions should be based on science and patient safety rather than personal agendas.
