Dr Robert Califf is to be the FDA’s next commissioner after his appointment was approved by the US Senate following months of delay as a handful of senators, including Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, blocked the move.

Sanders said that Califf, a cardiologist and academic researcher, would be incapable of representing the safety of consumers because of his close financial ties to the drugs industry.

Califf’s salary at Duke University is partially underwritten by large pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly and Merck.

His opponents have argued that the FDA has been approving too many opioid painkillers and ignoring the advice of its panel of experts, which has often urged caution.

Sen Edward Markey, another Democrat opposed to Califf’s appointment, has said: “The FDA stands for Food and Drug Administration, but over the past 20 years it really stands for ‘fostering drug addiction’. We have to have an honest discussion about the role that agency is playing.”