Ad comes as HHS Secretary appears on Capitol Hill to defend Trump administration’s draconian budget   

Washington — Today, Restore Public Trust launched a digital ad highlighting Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar’s history as a pharmaceutical insider. The ad launch comes as Azar testifies before Congress this week to discuss the Trump administration’s 2020 budget request.

“Trump made it clear how much he actually cares about lowering drug prices when he chose a former pharmaceutical executive to be HHS Secretary, so it’s no surprise we’ve heard nothing but talk from Secretary Azar on the topic,” said Lizzy Price, spokesperson for Restore Public Trust. “Americans can’t trust Azar to lower their drug prices when he’s made millions working for Eli Lilly, overseeing the exact opposite. Secretary Azar continues to sit on his hands while drug prices rise.”

A recent report from Restore Public Trust found that when Secretary Azar was a top executive at Eli Lilly the company repeatedly raised its drug prices. In particular, the report found:

• Over a seven-year period that included Azar’s tenure, three Eli Lilly drugs increased in price by 200-400%.
• Forteo, a drug for osteoporosis, rose by 68% between 2012 and 2015 alone. It was the single highest retail price increase for a specialty drug of its kind according to the AARP.
• During Azar’s tenure, Eli Lilly increased the cost of diabetes medication Humalog by 345%.
• Eli Lilly increased the price of insulin by 450% above inflation while Azar was at the company.