Richard Pazdur, MD
Richard Pazdur, MD, Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and former long-time head of the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE), is leaving the FDA.
Dr. Pazdur has served the FDA for 26 years and is an expert in drug regulation. He is a longtime ASCO member who has been recognized with the ASCO Service Recognition Award and ASCO Public Service Award.
A statement from the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Julie R. Gralow, MD, FACP, FASCO, follows:
“Dr. Pazdur will be known as a visionary leader who dedicated his tenure at the FDA to doing everything possible to enhance patient access to safe, effective, and improved cancer therapies. Throughout his time at the FDA, Dr. Pazdur spearheaded several innovative programs at the agency, including the creation of the OCE. The OCE unified the FDA’s review of oncology drugs, biologics, and devices under a single program and has helped coordinate and accelerate clinical review of numerous new treatments while also assessing potential changes to existing treatments that could improve patient outcomes.”
“His commitment to leveraging science and regulatory action to benefit patients is commendable and his contribution to cancer care will leave an indelible mark on the agency and the profession of oncology.”
