The FDA has undergone rapid leadership change this week as Tracy Beth Høeg, M.D., Ph.D., was named acting director of the agency’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and Richard Pazdur filed papers to retire. Høeg, who gained visibility during COVID vaccine safety reviews, will lead CDER as the agency navigates multiple policy shifts and scrutiny over vaccine investigations. Pazdur’s departure comes weeks after his appointment and adds to turnover at senior ranks, raising questions about continuity in drug-review priorities. CDER (Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) oversees review and approval of new medicines — a central function for industry timelines and regulatory strategy.