WASHINGTON – With the breaking news that a Florida charity will be paying $4 million to resolve claims that it served as a conduit for major pharmaceutical companies to pay kickbacks to Medicare patients, including Biogen Inc., Novartis, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Restore Public Trust Director Lizzy Price released the following statement and background information highlighting the connections these companies have to the Trump administration.
“As people across the country read this latest story of corruption and malfeasance, they should remember that Big Pharma has infiltrated the Trump administration and is doing everything possible to influence policy and protect its own profits. In fact, top ranking officials in the administration have close connections to the very companies accused of paying kickbacks in Florida — which is just the latest reminder that Trump and Alex Azar are breaking their promises and putting the pharmaceutical industry ahead of patients and families.”
Background on Trump administration connections to Novartis, Biogen, and Teva Pharmaceuticals
Eric Ueland, deputy assistant to the President and deputy director of the White House’s Domestic Policy Council, lobbied on behalf of Novartis and other pharmaceutical companies between 2007 and 2013.
Nicholas T. Matich, deputy general counsel for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) until April 2019, served as legal representation for Novartis and other healthcare companies from 2014-2017.
Scott Gottlieb, who served as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until April 2019, received $11,250 as a “speaking honorarium” from Biogen, Inc.
Kate O’Scannlain, Department of Labor solicitor, represented Teva Pharmaceuticals of North America as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in 2017.
Robert Charrow, general counsel at HHS, previously provided legal services for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
Christine S. Wilson, federal trade commissioner, served as representation for Teva Pharmaceuticals North America as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in 2016.
Learn more about the vast network of connections between individuals in the Trump administration and Big Pharma, visit BigPharmasBestFriends.org.
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