FDA appoints George Tidmarsh to lead drug regulation efforts
- George Tidmarsh was selected as the chief drug regulator at the FDA, succeeding acting director Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay.
- His appointment comes during a period marked by staff layoffs and significant changes in the FDA's leadership.
- Tidmarsh's experience in the pharmaceutical industry positions him to address urgent drug safety evaluations.
In July 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appointed George Tidmarsh as its chief drug regulator. His selection follows the retirement of Dr. Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, the center's acting director. Tidmarsh brings considerable experience to the role, having founded and led multiple pharmaceutical companies and served as an adjunct professor at Stanford University. His appointment comes at a time when the FDA is undergoing significant leadership changes and grappling with staff layoffs due to budget cuts under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. These changes have raised concerns about the FDA's operational capacity and the timely review of new drugs. Tidmarsh will oversee the agency's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), which assesses the safety and effectiveness of new drugs and regulates existing ones. His responsibilities include reviewing high-profile cases such as the abortion pill mifepristone and scrutinizing long-established medications like antidepressants and hormone-replacement therapies. This leadership turnover is significant, as FDA center directors usually serve extended terms, often across different administrations. Under Tidmarsh's leadership, the FDA hopes to stabilize its regulatory process while addressing the challenges posed by staffing shortages and the ongoing need for drug safety evaluations.