Azar Expected to be Named HHS Secretary: Bloomberg

Bloomberg News reports that former Eli Lilly executive Alex Azar is expected to be named HHS secretary, replacing former Rep. Tom Price, who resigned after his extensive use of private and military jets at taxpayer expense was documented. Bloomberg cautioned that President Donald Trump is in the midst of an extended trip in Asia and could change his mind before a replacement is officially named.

Before joining Lilly, Azar was a deputy HHS secretary under former President George W. Bush.

Earlier rumors of an Azar appointment drew ire from Public Citizen, which said that the appointment would mean “Big Pharma’s coup d’etat in the healthcare sphere will be virtually complete.” Public Citizen noted that Azar has made public statements indicating his opposition to measures to restrain drug company profiteering and limit improper marketing, while favoring weaker drug safety standards.