Drug Executive Collapses During Oval Office Announcement
A drug executive fainted during a press conference in the Oval Office, where President Donald Trump was unveiling a deal with drugmakers to lower obesity drug prices.
Incident Details
The event was interrupted Thursday when the man, believed to be Gordon Findlay, the global brand director for Novo Nordisk, collapsed. David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly, noticed and asked,
“Are you OK? Gordon, are you OK?”
Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, promptly assisted as Findlay fell to his knees and collapsed. Following this, the press was asked to leave the room.
Context of the Press Conference
President Trump and representatives from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk were discussing an agreement to expand coverage and reduce prices for popular obesity medications, Zepbound and Wegovy.
Additional Attendees
- David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly
- Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator
- Health and Human Services Secretary
“President Donald Trump looks on as Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz and others help a man identified as Gordon Findlay, who passed out during an event where Trump made a statement on lowering drug price.” — Getty Images
The press conference was cut short immediately after the incident.
Author’s Summary
The Oval Office press conference on drug price reduction was abruptly ended due to the sudden collapse of a drug executive, who received immediate medical attention from officials, including Dr. Mehmet Oz.