During President Trump’s announcement in the Oval Office on Thursday, a pharma exec collapsed. The Novo Nordisk executive named Gordon Findlay fainted while standing behind the president. The press conference focused on a new deal between the Trump administration and pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to drastically reduce the cost of popular weight loss drugs such as Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy. The deal will cut prices for eligible patients on Medicare, Medicaid, and through the Trump Rx Pharmaceutical website from over $1,000 to under $500 per month.
As Eli Lilly’s CEO spoke, Findlay’s knees buckled, and he collapsed. Dr. Mehmet Oz quickly assisted him, preventing injury. The White House Medical Unit responded promptly, elevating Findlay’s legs and providing medical care. The press was temporarily ushered out as officials attended to him, and the press conference resumed about an hour later. President Trump reassured the public that Findlay was feeling lightheaded but was ultimately fine.
Trump’s Take on the Deal
Trump highlighted that previously, these weight loss drugs were mainly prescribed to wealthy patients concentrated in areas like Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The new agreement aims to make these medications accessible to millions more Americans by expanding coverage and reducing the financial barrier to treatment.
This incident briefly cast tension over an otherwise significant announcement about improving access to obesity medications, but the event continued with the commitment of both companies to roll out the plan quickly.
Critics of Weight Loss Drugs
Critics of weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound raise several concerns. Some argue these drugs, which belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, carry potential side effects including nausea, gastrointestinal issues, and in rare cases, more severe health risks. Others worry about the long-term effects, which remain less well studied given the relatively recent approval of these medications for obesity treatment.
Medical professionals question the sustainability of weight loss achieved through these drugs, noting that weight often returns after discontinuing treatment. Critics also caution that these medications may not address the underlying causes of obesity like diet, lifestyle, and social determinants of health.
Overall, while weight loss drugs represent breakthrough treatments with significant benefits for appropriate patients, critics urge careful monitoring, patient education, and continued research to fully understand risks, ensure safety, and maximize long-term outcomes.
