Mark McClellan to Lead US CMS

The US Senate has confirmed that the head of the FDA, Dr Mark McClellan, will be the administrator of the US's Centers' for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Tommy Thompson, the US secretary of health and human services said Dr McClellan would: 'bring a breadth of experience, intelligence and energy that will serve all of us well.'

Following criticism from some US senators that McClellan must: 'demonstrate a willingness to work on behalf of American consumers, rather than for the big drug companies', Thompson said: 'We remain committed to ensuring that our Medicare and Medicaid programs are responsive to our partners, especially the health care professions and the states. And we are determined to bring about rapid and effective implementation of the benefits of the Medicare improvement act, including a new prescription drug benefit and more choices for Medicare beneficiaries.'