US President Donald Trump’s Oval Office press briefing on weight loss drug price cuts following the announcement of a deal with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk ended abruptly after a pharmaceutical executive collapsed suddenly.
A manager standing near President Donald Trump’s desk collapsed during the start of a speech by Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks.
Several media reports identified him as Novo Nordisk CEO Gordon Findlay.
However, in a statement to Newsweek, Novo Nordisk said that “CEO Mike Doustdar and EVP, US Operations, Dave Moore were the only two Novo Nordisk representatives in the Oval Office, adding: “We hope the gentleman who suffered a medical incident today is OK.
The press conference, which was televised, was immediately canceled before being resumed.
The pharmaceutical executive was later examined by Mehmet Oz, Trump’s administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who said he was fine.
“During the Oval Office announcement of the Most Favored Nations, a representative of one of the companies passed out. The White House Medical Unit quickly went into action and the gentleman is fine,” the White House said.
After the briefing resumed, Trump said one of the company executives had gotten a little light-headed but had received medical attention and was fine.
Meanwhile, amid a video showing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, walking away from a man who had collapsed, White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai wrote on X: “The Secretary rushed to get medical help while others cared for the man.”
Trump on drug prices
President Trump said the two companies agreed to offer their most popular weight loss drug GLP-1 at drastic discounts.
That price would apply to those on Medicare or through TrumpRx’s direct-to-consumer site.
“Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are committed to offering Zepbound and Wegovy at ‘Most Favored Nation’ rates for US patients,” Trump added, adding that this would reduce the cost of both products for eligible individuals.
Ozempic and Wego’s costs will drop from $1,000 and $1,350 per month to $350 per month on the administration’s direct-to-consumer website after they launch in January.
Medicare prices of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound will be $245. While Medicare beneficiaries will pay a co-pay of just $50 per month.
