US President Donald Trump on
Monday nominated Alex Azar, who formerly led Eli Lilly's US operations, as the
next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The
nomination comes after health secretary Tom Price stepped down in September
following scrutiny regarding his use of chartered flights for governmental
travel.
Azar served as HHS deputy
secretary from 2005 to 2007 under former President George W. Bush prior to
joining Eli Lilly. Azar, who left the drugmaker in January, previously served
on the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
In announcing the nomination,
Trump stated that Azar would be "a star for better healthcare and lower
drug prices." Trump, who previously accused drugmakers of "getting
away with murder," warned last month that he could take action to lower
the cost of medicines in the US.
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The nomination comes after
sources recently suggested that Azar would likely be selected for the post of
HHS secretary. Other people rumoured to be considered for the position included
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who downplayed the suggestions.
Commenting on the news, Cowen
and Co. analyst Eric Assaraf noted "although Trump specifically called out
lowering drug prices in his announcement of Azar, we don't believe his
appointment will mark a change in course in that realm." For related
analysis, see ViewPoints: Price'd out of the market- what does a new HHS
secretary mean for health care?
(Ref: ABC News, The New York
Times, CNBC, The Washington Post, Business Insider, CNN, Bloomberg, Yahoo!,
MarketWatch), By: Joe Barber
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