Richard Pazdur, a longtime drug regulator, has left the FDA after 26 years of service.[1][2][4] Last month, he assumed the position of head of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the urging of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.[1][2][4] He filed his retirement papers at the end of December, just weeks after joining.[1][2][3] At the meeting, he informed the leaders of the center about his decision.[1][4] He was recognized by the FDA for establishing the Oncology Center of Excellence and for innovations in the regulation of oncology drugs.[2][4][6] His departure adds to instability at the helm of the agency, which has already had four CDER chiefs this year.[4] Pazdur expressed concern about the legality and pace of initiatives to speed up drug approval.[3][4]