A dramatic scene interrupted President Donald Trump’s Thursday announcement on prescription drug pricing when a guest suddenly lost consciousness in the Oval Office, prompting an immediate response from Dr. Mehmet Oz and other officials present.
The incident unfolded as Trump and his team were unveiling significant agreements with pharmaceutical companies aimed at reducing costs for obesity treatments and other medications.
The event included top health officials and executives from major drug manufacturers when the medical emergency occurred.
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks first noticed something was wrong.
“Are you OK? Gordon, you OK?” he asked as the man began losing his balance and slumped over in his seat.
President Trump quickly stood up from behind the Resolute Desk as people in the room rushed to help the fallen guest.
Dr. Oz, the renowned surgeon and television personality now serving as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under Trump, immediately took charge of the medical situation.
Oz knelt beside the man to evaluate his condition while others worked to clear space around them.
Security and staff acted quickly to protect the guest’s privacy.
“Press out!” someone called, and reporters were immediately escorted from the Oval Office as camera feeds were cut.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt provided an update shortly after the incident.
She confirmed the man was a representative from one of the pharmaceutical companies participating in the event and received prompt medical attention.
“During the Most Favored Nations Oval Office Announcement, a representative with one of the companies fainted,” Leavitt said in a statement.
“The White House Medical Unit quickly jumped into action, and the gentleman is okay. The press conference will resume shortly.”
The event featured executives from pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, companies that manufacture popular obesity and diabetes medications including Ozempic and Wegovy.
Initial online reports incorrectly identified the man as Gordon Findlay, a Novo Nordisk executive.
Novo Nordisk later issued a clarification to correct the mistaken identity.
“We hope the gentleman who suffered a medical incident today is okay,” a company spokesperson stated, per Trending Politics, confirming that only CEO Mike Doustdar and Executive Vice President Dave Moore attended from their organization.
The individual who experienced the medical episode did not return when the announcement resumed.
Officials have not disclosed the specific cause of the collapse, though such incidents can occur during extended events in crowded, high-pressure environments with intense lighting.
The substance of Trump’s announcement focused on new agreements designed to lower costs for weight-loss medications that have become increasingly popular but remain financially out of reach for many Americans.
GLP-1 drugs used to treat diabetes and obesity frequently cost over $1,000 monthly without insurance coverage or discount programs.
Under the newly announced deals, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk will receive expanded access to Medicare and Medicaid.
These federal programs serve millions of senior citizens and low-income Americans who could benefit from more affordable access to these medications.
The White House described the initiative as part of its “Most Favored Nations” approach to pharmaceutical pricing, Trending Politics reported.
The strategy aims to increase competition among drug manufacturers while improving access to treatments for obesity and related conditions.
Trump emphasized the significance of the agreements for American patients.
He characterized the move as a major advancement toward ensuring fairness in healthcare costs and making life-saving medications accessible to more citizens.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also addressed the gathering, highlighting the socioeconomic factors affecting obesity rates in America.
“Obesity is a disease of poverty,” Kennedy said, citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics.
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