The US Senate has unanimously confirmed Margaret Hamburg this week as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration.

Dr Hamburg’s new boss, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of health and human services, called her “an inspiring public health leader with broad experience in infectious disease, bioterrorism, and health policy” while also praising Joshua Sharfstein, who has served as acting commissioner and who will be Dr Hamburg’s deputy.

During the Bush administration, the Food and Drug Administration was criticised for being too cosy with the drug industry for its handling of outbreaks of food …