WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate panel is questioning the Obama administration's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates consumer products from medications to seafood to e-cigarettes.

Dr. Robert Califf is currently the agency's second-highest ranking official. He joined the FDA as deputy commissioner after more than 30 years as a prominent cardiologist and medical researcher at Duke University.

Califf would take the reins at a critical juncture for FDA, which is under pressure from Congress to streamline regulations for medical products and is implementing sweeping new food safety rules.

At his confirmation hearing, senators questioned Califf about rising drug prices and slow approval times for new drugs and medical devices.

Califf said he's confident approval times will speed up for generic drugs as the agency works its way through an application backlog.

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