Former pharmaceutical industry executive Alex Azar is reportedly the front-runner to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Azar, who served at HHS under former President George W. Bush, would replace Trump's first pick for the position, Tom Price Thomas (Tom) Edmunds PriceConspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention Coronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Chris Christie Trump flails as audience dwindles and ratings plummet MORE, Politico reported.

Price resigned from his post as HHS chief last month amid uproar over his use of private jets for official travel.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I have spent forty years both as a doctor and public servant putting people first. I regret that the recent events have created a distraction from these important objectives," Price said in his resignation letter.

"Success on these issues is more important than any one person. In order for you to move forward without further disruption, I am officially tendering my resignation," he continued.

Azar served as general counsel and deputy secretary of HHS during the Bush administration. He then joined pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company in 2007. He left the company in January after serving as senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications and then leading the company's U.S. operations.