Alex Azar Confirmed as Next Secretary of HHS

The Senate voted 55 to 43 to confirm former pharmaceutical industry executive Alex Azar as HHS secretary.

Azar, who previously served as the department’s deputy secretary during the Bush administration, follows former secretary Tom Price, who resigned amidst a scandal over unethical use of charter aircraft.

Support for Azar was divided, with critics voicing concern over his time as president of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly’s U.S. division. He also served as a member of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s board of supervisors.