"WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to confirm Dr. Robert Califf as head of the Food and Drug Administration, an agency that regulates everything from food and drugs to tobacco, cosmetics and dietary supplements.

Califf, 64, a well-regarded cardiologist and researcher, takes the helm at the FDA when lawmakers are pressuring the agency to speed the approval process for drugs and medical devices and finalize a proposed rule giving it authority to regulate e-cigarettes.

The FDA is also attempting to implement sweeping new regulations to improve food safety and has begun to tackle the approval process for biosimilars, which are cheaper versions of biologic drugs."

Reuters had the story February 24, 2016. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Dr. Robert Califf Wins Senate Confirmation to Run F.D.A." (New York Times) [3]

"CardioBrief: New FDA Chief Will Champion Clinical Trials" (MedPageToday) [4]

"New FDA Head Robert Califf Vows To Use ‘Bully Pulpit,’ Better Explain Agency Decisions" (Washington Post) [5]

"FDA Officially Belongs to Big Pharma With Senate Confirmation of Dr. Robert Califf" (AlterNet) [6]