During a Thursday press conference at the Oval Office, a pharmaceutical executive collapsed while President Donald Trump was discussing a new agreement with major drugmakers aimed at reducing obesity drug prices.
The event was briefly halted when Gordon Findlay, identified as the global brand director for Novo Nordisk, suddenly fainted. He had been attending the meeting where representatives from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk joined President Trump to announce a pricing initiative for obesity treatments Zepbound and Wegovy.
David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly, interrupted his remarks and turned to check on the fallen executive, asking:
“Are you okay? Gordon, are you okay?”
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, quickly moved to assist Findlay as he fell to the floor. Members of the press were immediately escorted out while aides provided medical support.
The Health and Human Services Secretary was also present during the incident. Following a roughly 30-minute delay, the press conference resumed, during which President Trump provided an update on Findlay’s condition, assuring attendees that he was stable.
The gathering had been convened to outline a collaboration between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk intended to expand access and lower costs for breakthrough obesity medications, part of the administration’s broader effort to make healthcare more affordable.
Dr. Oz’s quick reaction helped stabilize a drug executive who collapsed during President Trump’s Oval Office announcement on lowering obesity drug prices, highlighting swift cooperation amid an unexpected emergency.