Trump Pick to Lead HHS Faces Senate Questions on Drug Prices
- Azar lists competition, patent fixes as ways to lower costs
- Paul pushes nominee on opposition to importing cheaper drugs
Alex Azar
Photographer: Stephane de Sakutin/AFP via Getty Images
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Senators grilled President Donald Trump’s selection to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about his close ties to the pharmaceutical industry and plans tackling high drug prices.
Nominee Alex Azar was an executive at drugmaker Eli Lilly & Co. until January, a role that Democrats say raises concerns about whether he will take on rising drug costs. Azar took questions on his views before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, one of two committees he’ll face as part of the nomination process, on Wednesday.