A dramatic moment unfolded in the Oval Office on Thursday when a pharmaceutical executive fainted during a press conference. President Donald Trump had been announcing a new deal with major drugmakers aimed at reducing the cost of obesity treatments.
The event was briefly halted when Gordon Findlay, global brand director for Novo Nordisk, collapsed. The deal being introduced involved Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, with plans to expand coverage and lower prices for popular obesity medications such as Zepbound and Wegovy.
As Eli Lilly's CEO David Ricks was speaking, he paused to ask,
“Are you okay? Gordon, are you okay?”Mehmet Oz, who serves as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, quickly stepped in to assist Findlay as he fell to the floor.
Members of the press were escorted out of the room while aid was provided. Health and Human Services officials were present during the incident. About thirty minutes later, the briefing resumed, and President Trump informed reporters that the executive’s condition had stabilized.
The press conference highlighted the administration’s ongoing efforts to make life-saving drugs and treatment options more affordable for American patients. Trump emphasized the cooperation with pharmaceutical companies in achieving these goals.
Author’s summary: During a White House press event on lowering drug costs, Novo Nordisk’s Gordon Findlay collapsed, prompting swift help from Dr. Mehmet Oz and a later confirmation of his recovery by President Trump.