A Senate vote result of 72-18 sees Stephen Hahn confirmed as the next Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner.
Hahn will be the first permanent leader since Scott Godlieb left the position in April earlier this year. His appointment follows a much higher number of votes compared to previous commissioner Gottlieb who was only confirmed by the Senate 57-42.
Scott Whitaker, CEO of AdvaMed, and Mark Leahey, CEO of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, both reportedly commented that they look forward to working with Hahn on ensuring timely patient access to new medical devices. Whitaker said: "During the confirmation process, Dr. Hahn demonstrated his deep understanding of the agency's mission to protect and promote the public health and the role of innovation in improving patient care."
Whilst Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar called Hahn a "superbly qualified leader," adding that having a confirmed FDA leader will help expedite the administration's public health agenda.
"I think it is important for FDA to take a proactive, not passive approach to upholding the gold standard for all medical products before and after they enter the market," Hahn added.
The key issues the FDA is currently facing include duodenoscope safety, long-term device material compatibility and how to regulate rapidly changing software as a medical device.
Hahn was previously appointed as commissioner by president Donald Trump in November this year.