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  • Washington Highlights

    Trump Administration Nominates Pharmaceutical Executive Alex Azar for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services

    Len Marquez, Senior Director, Government Relations

    President Trump Nov. 13 announced he was nominating Eli Lilly executive Alex Azar for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a tweet. On Nov. 29, the Senate Health Education Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee will consider the nomination of Azar, who previously served as chief counsel and deputy secretary of HHS during the administration of George W. Bush.

    Following his tenure at HHS, Azar spent nearly a decade at pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind. This has caused several senators, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), to question whether Azar would act to lower drug prices.

    In a Nov. 13 statement, AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, MD, stated, “Upon his confirmation, we look forward to working with Mr. Azar on improving the health of all through high-quality clinical care, groundbreaking medical research, and a robust, diverse physician workforce.”