A pharmaceutical executive collapsed inside the Oval Office on Thursday as US President Donald Trump’s administration announced a new deal for weight-loss drugs.
The man, who was close to Trump during the live event, suddenly lost his balance and fell when his knees buckled.
While some journalists initially identified him as Novo Nordisk executive Gordon Finlay, the company later clarified that it was not him.
According to the Independent UK, eyewitnesses said Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, quickly helped the executive to the ground, preventing him from hitting his head. As the journalists were escorted out of the room, cabinet members tended to the man and lifted his legs to aid his recovery.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: “During the Most Favored Nations Oval Office announcement, a representative of one of the companies fainted. The White House Medical Unit quickly swung into action and the gentleman is doing well. The press conference will resume shortly.”
The press event, which brought together executives from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, focused on the administration’s partnership with drug makers to make GLP-1 weight-loss drugs more affordable.
Under the new agreement, the companies will expand access to their popular anti-obesity drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound, by offering them directly to consumers through TrumpRx, a government website scheduled to launch next year.
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