A pharmaceutical industry executive collapsed unexpectedly in the Oval Office today during a press briefing. The incident occurred as the man, positioned behind the US president, was present for the announcement of a new agreement on weight-loss medications by the Trump administration. Suddenly, his knees gave way, causing concern among administration officials and pharmaceutical representatives who swiftly came to his aid to prevent him from falling.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the incident took place during the ‘Most Favored Nations Oval Office Announcement’ when a representative from one of the pharmaceutical companies fainted. Immediate medical attention was provided, assuring that the individual was ultimately fine. Leavitt assured that the press conference would resume shortly after the incident.
Following the brief interruption, reporters were escorted out of the Oval Office while cabinet members attended to the collapsed individual, elevating his legs. The exact reason behind his collapse remains unknown at this time.
The press conference featured executives from pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, alongside the Trump administration, unveiling a groundbreaking deal set to impact the healthcare sector significantly. The agreement entails the availability of popular treatments such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound directly to the public through TrumpRx, a new government website scheduled for launch next year.
In a promising development for patients, the companies disclosed that an oral version of the medications could potentially be priced at $149 (£113) per month, pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Moreover, individuals covered by Medicare or Medicaid facing diabetes and other approved conditions are expected to benefit from reduced costs of the injectable versions at $245 (£186) per month.