Federal scientist ousted over malaria drug files whistleblower complaint

Dr. Rick Bright, who was recently removed from his post as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, filed a whistleblower complaint on Tuesday alleging that Department of Health and Human Services leadership failed to heed his warnings about the coronavirus pandemic and that he was removed as a result of his position on the drug hydroxychloroquine, which President Trump had spoken about as a possible coronavirus treatment.

The complaint alleges when Bright sounded the alarm HHS leaders reacted with "indifference which then developed into hostility," CNN reports.

Bright wants to return to his position as BARDA director, and his lawyers say that his ouster represents a breach of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

"Dr. Bright pressed for urgent access to funding, personnel and clinical specimens, including viruses, which he emphasized were all critically necessary to begin development of lifesaving medicines needed in the likely event that the virus spread outside of Southeast Asia," the complaint says, according to CNN. "Secretary Azar and Dr. Kadlec responded with surprise at Dr. Bright's dire predictions and urgency."

"It was obvious that Dr. Bright's persistent demands for urgent action to respond to the pandemic had caused a 'shit storm' and a 'commotion' and were unwelcome in the office of the HHS Secretary," the complaint says. "As a result, HHS leadership excluded Dr. Bright and BARDA from these recurring meetings and from the critical discussions about addressing the COVID-19 pandemic."