FDA Taps Oncology Expert as Nation’s Top Drug Regulator

The Trump (R) Administration has named Richard Pazdur, a longtime Oncology Expert at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as the Nation’s Top Drug Regulator. Pazdur will Lead the Agency’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, which Regulates Over-the-Counter Medicines and Most Prescription Drugs. He replaces George Tidmarsh, who Federal Oofficials say Resigned over a Week ago after being placed on Leave over Allegations that He Misused His Authority, in a Tumultuous period for the FDA.

“Dr. Pazdur is a true regulatory innovator who will help guide our broader agenda to modernize the agency and streamline the approval process,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a News Release. “He has a track record of success and is an impressive forward-thinking scientist.” Pazdur initially turned Down the Position. Makary and other Senior Officials have been Pushing for Pazdur to take the Role.

Pazdur joined FDA in 1999 and is the Founding Director of the Agency’s Oncology Center of Excellence, a Role He will maintain until a Successor is named. In His New Position, Pazdur would Oversee the Safety and Efficacy of New and Existing Drugs. The Center also plays a Role in Responding to Public Health Emergencies and Drug Shortages and has been involved in the White House’s Broad Agenda to Lower Drug Prices.

Internal Divisions at the FDA have Spilled-out-Publicly in recent Weeks amid Tidmarsh’s Resignation, including Fights between Senior Officials about the Agency’s Direction.

Tidmarsh Accused Colleagues of Creating a “toxic environment” and said He believed He was placed on Leave only after He raised Concerns about the Legal Basis of a Trump Administration Program aimed at Quickly Approving New Drugs. Other Health Officials have said that Tidmarsh was Placed-on-Leave because He Acted Inappropriately in His Role. A Canadian Pharmaceutical Company Sued Tidmarsh earlier this month, accusing Him of making False Statements and Soliciting a Bribe because of a “long-standing personal vendetta” against its Board Chairman.

Reached by Phone this month, Tidmarsh Confirmed He was placed on Administrative Leave. He also Confirmed His Comments to the Times. He Declined to Comment further and did Nnot Respond to subsequent Questions about the Lawsuit.

Pazdur worked on Expediting the Development of Novel Cancer Therapies, and Led the Agency’s efforts to Streamline Oncology Drug Approvals and Access, among other Efforts, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Pazdur has talked Openly about His Wife’s Death from Ovarian Cancer roughly a Decade ago.

“I have a much greater sense of urgency these days,” Pazdur said in 2016. “I have been on a jihad to streamline the review process and get things out the door faster. I have evolved from regulator to regulator-advocate.” He added that in Recent years Congress had also Helped make it Easier for Drugmakers toWwork with the Agency when a Medicine might Saves Lives, and there had been New Medical Advancements in Genetic Research, making some Drugs more Effective and Easier to Test.










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