Fourth FDA Drug Chief This Year Steps Down, Raising Stability Concerns

Key Takeaways

Dr. Richard Pazdur will retire after 26 years at the FDA

He was the fourth person to lead the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

Experts warn that ongoing departures could weaken confidence in the FDA’s drug-approval process

THURSDAY, Dec. 4, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is facing even more leadership changes as drug regulator Dr. Richard Pazdur prepares to retire at the end of the month, the agency confirmed this week.

Pazdur, who has worked at the FDA for 26 years, told senior leaders on Tuesday that he plans to step down, just weeks after taking a top position at the FDA.

He is the fourth person this year to lead the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), which oversees most prescription medicines in