Richard Pazdur, MD

Daniel F. Hayes, MD, ASCO President, issued the following statement on June 29, 2016:

“ASCO commends FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf for his selection of Dr. Richard Pazdur to lead the agency’s new Oncology Center of Excellence. In his nearly 20 years with the FDA, Dr. Pazdur has worked innovatively to dramatically reduce the amount of time to review new products and increase the number of safe and effective oncology products available to cancer patients. He consistently demonstrates the necessary leadership and commitment to improving cancer care for directing this new center to carry out its mission."

“ASCO applauds the remarkable success of the FDA in regulating oncology products. However, we believe a more coordinated approach will further streamline and organize evaluation of oncology products—both therapeutic and diagnostic. We have been supportive of calls for development of Centers of Excellence within the agency that globally review all aspects of a single disease, and we are pleased that Dr. Pazdur has been appointed to direct the oncology center."

“We are confident that this initiative will build on past success excellence and create a larger community of scientists and clinicians within the agency. The oncology center is coming at a crucial time in response to the need to coordinate review of drugs, diagnostic tests, and other types of devices. This large-scale agency reorganization will require a great deal of vision and planning to ensure that the new center fully achieves its goals of bringing safe and effective oncology products to market more efficiently."

“There is no better person to lead this effort than Dr. Pazdur."

“ASCO is very supportive of the new FDA Oncology Center of Excellence and the selection of Dr. Pazdur to lead it. We are ready to work with Dr. Pazdur and the FDA as this new center is formed and works to meet the needs of people living with cancer.”

See Richard Pazdur, MD, Named Acting Director of FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence for more on Dr. Pazdur’s appointment. ■