Alex Azar Jan. 29 was sworn in as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Senate Jan. 24 voted 55-43 to confirm Azar, who previously served as an executive at pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, and as deputy secretary of HHS under George W. Bush (see Washington Highlights, Jan. 26). During Azar's swearing-in ceremony, President Trump reiterated that the new secretary will act to lower the prices of prescription drugs.
Only two days after Azar began his tenure at HHS, Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, Jan. 31 resigned as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Her resignation came on the heels of reports she purchased tobacco stock while serving as director. A potential successor has not yet been named by the Administration.