U.S. Senate approves Crawford for FDA commissioner

The nomination of Lester Crawford as permanent commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was overwhelmingly approved by the U.S. Senate on Monday.

Concerns had been raised over his handling of the agency when he was acting chief, and Crawford had also faced questions about an alleged extramarital affair and over a stalled decision concerning easier access to emergency contraceptives.

Crawford is a food safety expert with a doctorate in pharmacology, has served as acting FDA commissioner since March 2004. He also did a previous stint as acting commissioner from February to November 2002.