A healthcare official collapsed in the Oval Office as Donald Trump announced a deal to cut the price of weight-loss drugs.
The man fainted and was lowered to the floor by other officials near him during a speech by David Ricks, the chief executive of Eli Lilly. He had been seen swaying and stumbling before falling.
The US president was holding the press conference on cutting drug prices for patients with Medicare or Medicaid. It was paused for 30 minutes as reporters were asked to leave the room.
Advertisement
Advertisement
As officials guided the man to the ground, lifting his legs and resting his head, Mr Ricks was heard saying: “You okay? Gordon, you okay?” The White House said a “representative with one of the companies fainted” but did not name him.
Initial reports suggested the man was Gordon Findlay, an executive from drugmaker Novo Nordisk, but the company later said he was not there. Mr Ricks later said he was a “guest” of his company, Eli Lilly.
The press conference was halted for about half an hour after the man collapsed behind Mr Trump – Shutterstock
Robert F Kennedy, the US health secretary, was seen quickly bolting out of the room as the situation unfolded. Mr Trump also looked briefly at the man as he collapsed before turning towards the press gaggle, standing silently and awkwardly.
The president later remarked that the drug representative was “fine”.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“One of the representatives of the companies got a little bit light-headed. You saw he went down. And he’s fine,” Mr Trump said.
“They just sent him out, he’s got doctor’s care, but he’s fine. So we had a little bit of an interruption, sorry about that.”
Mr Trump was left standing awkwardly as people rushed to help the man – Andrew Harnik/Getty
The Eli Lilly chief executive added: “Gordon was one of the Lilly guests at the White House today. He became faint, and if you’ve ever been in the Oval Office, you stand a long time, and it’s warm.
“Pleased to say that the White House medical staff did a great job and he’s doing great. So, nothing to be concerned about. Thanks for your concern.”
The White House’s deal with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly will see the prices of Wegovy and Ozempic, also used for diabetes and other health issues, fall to $245 (£186) a month for patients with Medicare or Medicaid.
Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr also spoke at the press conference – Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
The cost of the jabs will also drop from $1,000 to about $350 (£266) when purchased through the website TrumpRx, the Financial Times reported.
Advertisement
Advertisement
A US-made weight-loss pill being developed by Lilly and Novo will, if approved, cost $149 (£113) per month for all Medicare and Medicaid enrollees, via TrumpRx.
The Trump-branded website, set to be live in 2026, will allow the purchase of prescription drugs directly from the manufacturer. Mr Trump said at the press conference: “It’s going to equalise the world.”
Mr Trump’s weight-loss drugs deal will increase access to the treatments through Medicare, which is for people aged 65 and over, and those with Medicaid. The programmes together provide healthcare for almost half of all Americans.
Patients in the US pay about three times more for prescription medications than people in other Western nations. Under current rules, Medicare does not normally cover the drugs for obesity, while Medicaid coverage varies.