washington senate vote overwhelmingly wednesday confirm dr. robert califf head food drug administration agency regulate everything food drug tobacco cosmetics dietary supplement califf 64 well-regarded cardiologist researcher take helm fda lawmakers pressure speed approval process drug medical devices finalize propose rule give authority regulate e-cigarettes say one first priorities strengthen workforce reach academic center attract new talent create professional home scientists work fda example say interview work create coordinate effort statisticians identity support service need docs like add might mean help administrative matter keep medical license date another priority califf improve surveillance systems monitor safety propose away adverse event report system currently exist say acutely aware enough tool monitor safety medical devices also need modernize say though happen overnight hard work make happen say think medical professions also need step part process say get authority regulate e-cigarettes also priority fda also attempt implement sweep new regulations improve food safety begin tackle approval process biosimilars cheap versions biologic drug u.s. house representatives recently pass 21st century cure act would require fda consider flexible form clinical trials senate consider similar legislation rate new drug approvals fda high decades last year approve 45 new drug since 1996 2006 2014 average 28 new drug approvals per year lawmakers patient group want agency move even fast califf work many high-profile clinical study say eager make clinical trial process efficient four senators include democrat edward markey massachusetts joe manchin west virginia oppose califf nomination take opportunity lead vote lambaste fda say lax approach approve potentially addictive opioid painkillers democratic presidential candidate bernie sanders also among senators oppose nomination say califf tie pharmaceutical industry make unfit regulate impartially califf join fda deputy commissioner year ago previously hold senior position duke university found large academic research center receive half fund drug industry say fund never compromise research califf confirmation widely expect fill position leave dr. margaret hamburg step six years commissioner dr. stephen ostroff fill post interim basis senate confirm dr. robert califf lead fda