Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Yesterday Was Not A Good Day For Novartis': CEO Tries To Soothe Anger Over $1.2M Contract With Trump's Lawyer
Stat: Novartis CEO Writes To Staff Amid Fury Over Michael Cohen Payments
The chief executive of Novartis sent employees an email Thursday seeking to contain intensifying political and business fallout over the revelation that the drug maker paid $1.2 million to President Trump’s personal lawyer to gain access to the White House. “Yesterday was not a good day for Novartis,” wrote Vasant Narasimhan, a physician and former McKinsey consultant, who joined the drug maker more than a decade ago and oversaw global drug development before being promoted to chief executive this past February. (Silverman, 5/10)
The Wall Street Journal: Novartis CEO Calls Hiring Of Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen A ‘Mistake’
Novartis AG Chief Executive Vasant Narasimhan said the company “made a mistake” agreeing to pay Trump lawyer Michael Cohen $1.2 million for what Novartis has described as his insight into health-care policy. In an email to the Swiss drug company’s employees on Thursday reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Dr. Narasimhan said he felt “frustrated” by the arrangement, which was struck under a previous chief executive. “Many of you will feel disappointed and frustrated,” he said. (Rockoff, 5/10)
