Nominee For HHS Post Raked In Millions As Top Pharma Executive
The newly released numbers are likely to ratchet up the scrutiny of Alex Azar, who is already facing criticism that he is too closely tied to the industry to be effective as the person regulating it.
The Associated Press:
Health Nominee Reaped Big Earnings From Drug Industry Tenure
Newly disclosed financial records show that President Donald Trump's nominee to become Health and Human Services secretary reaped big earnings during his tenure as a top pharmaceutical executive. As a top drug industry veteran from 2007 to 2017, former Eli Lilly and Co. executive Alex Azar built a substantial financial portfolio now worth $9.5 million to $20.6 million, and he was paid nearly $2 million in his final year at the company. (Braun, 11/20)
The Hill:
HHS Nominee Azar Made Millions Working For Drugmaker Lilly
Alex Azar, who was previously president of the U.S. division of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co., has a net worth of at least $8.7 million, according to documents filed with the Office of Government Ethics and analyzed by The Hill. Azar was paid nearly $2 million in his final year at Eli Lilly, according to the documents, which only date back to the previous 12 months. The company also paid him a $1.6 million severance package. (Weixel, 11/20)
Politico:
Azar Received Millions From Eli Lilly In Last Year, Disclosures Show
Multiple Senate Democrats, and independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have already declared their opposition to Azar's nomination because of his ties to the drug industry. The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is set to hold the first confirmation hearing on his nomination Nov. 29. After leaving Indianapolis-based Lilly, Azar leaned heavily on his industry experience to find new work. He collected $46,500 in speaking fees for four events, including ones hosted by the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy and pharma-focused tech company Veeva Systems. Azar also valued his consulting firm's worth at between $15,001 and $50,000. The firm's clientele included the National Pharmaceutical Council and drug company UCB Inc. (Cancryn, 11/20)
