Statement from Margarida Jorge on Inspector General’s ruling that Vaccine Czar Moncef Slaoui can keep investing in pharma firms: 

“The IG’s decision is extremely disappointing. Mr. Slaoui’s position is core to the government’s vaccine development efforts, and he should be just as accountable to the American people as any other government official. This administration has demonstrated a clear disregard for ethics and a willingness to funnel billions of taxpayer dollars to their Pharma corporate cronies without transparency or accountability. There is no reason to believe that Mr. Slaoui will operate any differently than the many other former Pharma executives who litter the administration and consistently protect the interests of their industry allies over public health and patients.

Big Pharma uses crisis after crisis to price-gouge patients and line the pockets of their executives and shareholders. Individuals who have a personal financial stake in drug corporation profits should not be making decisions about which corporations receive millions to develop medicines and vaccines, especially given that the future of public health and the economy are at stake for the rest of us. Americans have a right to ensure their taxpayer dollars will yield affordable, effective vaccines, not just enrich a Pharma executive this administration has the audacity to call a ‘volunteer.’”