Sidney Wolfe, effectively a household name among standards-minded consumer activists, has recently passed away on May 3, 2018 at the age of 86. A tireless and relentless fighter against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Wolfe actively worked to better the health and safety of Americans.
Wolfe obtained his MD from the University of Illinois in Chicago, where he quickly took an active role in the medical field, doing multiple residency positions in various hospitals. Despite obtaining a medical degree, Wolfe sought to make himself invaluable to American consumers. He acted as the medical director of the National Health Law Program from 1971 to 1980 before becoming the director of the Health Research Group (HRG) in 1971. Among the organizations tasks was that of researching the safety of drugs.
It was this drive that led Wolfe to clash multiple times with the FDA. Wolfe’s organization helped to protect the public from unsafe products by collecting evidence and pressuring the regulator to take action when needed. When the organization found that the kids cold medicines contained two dangerous chemicals, Wolfe forced the FDA to recall them and put severe restrictions on their production. His work has saved thousands of lives.
Wolfe’s determination to ensure safety for consumers even garnered him a spot on the FDA’s most wanted list. The FDA took exception to Wolfe’s knowledge and ways of obtaining it, going so far as to accuse him of industrial espionage. This did not deter Wolfe in anyway, as he simply saw that it was his job to protect the public good.
As a further testament to Wolfe’s drive and commitment to consumers, his HRG had listed 211 drugs in a petition that failed to meet the FDA’s safety criteria. Wolfe’s activities forced the agency to take action on over 100 of the listed drugs, leading to stronger regulation and consumer protection.
Wolfe’s accomplishments will be forever remembered and his legacy will live on. His determination to ensure the safety of Americans has produced a safer and more informed America; a true testament to the mark of a true public servant.
