Donald Trump’s health chief pick wipes billions off value of Brit medicine-makers

BRITISH medicine-makers had billions wiped off their values yesterday after President-elect Trump appointed a vaccine sceptic as head of the US health department.

Robert F Kennedy Jr has been pilloried for false claims, including that vaccines are linked to autism, antidepressants are to blame for school shootings and fluoride in water lowers Americans’ IQs.

His appointment sent shares in London-listed GSK, a vaccine specialist, slumping by almost 5 per cent in one day, taking £2.7billion off its valuation.

Astrazeneca, which developed Britain’s Covid jab, saw £4billion knocked off its value.

Trump previously said in his campaign that he would let Kennedy Jr “go wild on health, go wild on food”.

Kennedy Jr said he wanted to “make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth”.

He is now in charge of a $1.7trillion budget and head of the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr David Elliman, a consultant paediatrician at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, said: “While RFK Jr’s desire to tackle chronic conditions, including obesity, is commendable, how he might go about it is less clear.”

Hint off Vint

VINTED, the fast-growing second-hand fashion website, has ruled out a stock exchange listing for now.

Boss Thomas Plantenga yesterday said it was easier to deal with just a handful of investors when taking on expansion risks.

Vinted, valued at £4.1billion earlier this year, wants to move into electronics, toys and watches.

Shops slump

HIGH street stores suffered a slowdown as early online Black Friday offers tempted shoppers instead.

Bricks-and-mortar outlets had their weakest weekly figures since April, with like-for-like sales dropping by 5.35 per cent, said BDO.

Online sales jumped 3.73 per cent as some retailers started discounting products over a fortnight early.