The Senate on Wednesday voted 55 to 43 to confirm Alex Azar as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The confirmation vote was taken after the Senate voted Tuesday to advance his nomination.

Many Democrats opposed the nomination due to Azar’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Azar is the former CEO of Eli Lilly. Azar also previously served as HHS secretary from 2005 to 2007, where he helped to implement Medicare Part D.

[Also: Hearing for HHS nominee Azar dominated by drug pricing issue]

Azar opened confirmation hearings before the Senate Finance Committee earlier this month by saying drug prices were too high.

He replaces former HHS Secretary Tom Price, who resigned in September due to his controversial use of private chartered jets for business travel.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com