Statement on Dr. Richard Pazdur Being Named FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director
November 13, 2025 – Cancer Nation applauds the choice of Dr. Richard Pazdur as the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We can think of no better person than Dr. Pazdur for this position, as he will bring scientific rigor, evidence-based regulatory review, and a commitment to patients to his work as CDER head.
Cancer Nation – formerly the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship – has had the pleasure of Dr. Pazdur’s acquaintance since his arrival at FDA in 1999. Dr. Pazdur immediately opened his FDA door to patients and patient advocates to hear our treatment needs and to understand our experiences from diagnosis through the continuum of cancer care. We honored Dr. Pazdur in 2015 with our Public Service Leadership Award, to recognize the way he had used his FDA position to improve the lives of cancer survivors.
Rick and Mary Pazdur in 2015 at an NCCS reception where he was awarded our Public Service Leadership Award.
For decades, Dr. Pazdur has shown up for people living with, through, and beyond cancer—not just as a regulator, but as a listener. In 2015, our former CEO Ellen Stovall sat down with Dr. Pazdur and his wife, Mary, an oncology nurse who was then in treatment for ovarian cancer. That conversation revealed what many of us already knew: Dr. Pazdur understands the human side of this work. He understands the stakes for families like his own, and families across this country. In the decade since that award, Dr. Pazdur has continued his life of public service, advancing science, encouraging collaboration, achieving openness and transparency, and seeing the approval of many life-changing cancer therapies.
“We are grateful that someone with both scientific rigor and lived compassion will be leading CDER, and we look forward to continuing our shared work to make sure every survivor gets the care they need to live well,” said Shelley Fuld Nasso, Cancer Nation CEO.
Cancer Nation and the entire nation are fortunate that Dr. Pazdur will be leading CDER. We are pleased that he has mentored a strong and dedicated team at the Oncology Center of Excellence, focused on oncology product evaluation and research.
