WASHINGTON — The pharmaceutical industry has sparred with President Trump for four years over drug pricing. Now it’s taking its biggest gamble yet: calling the president’s bluff.
The most brazen move came this week: Unlike most CEOs, who jump at the chance to visit the White House, pharmaceutical executives — newly empowered by their high-profile efforts to respond to the coronavirus and fed up with President Trump’s repeated threats — responded to his latest invitation with open contempt.
Trump insisted last week that his administration’s tough talk on drug pricing had left drug makers clamoring to strike a deal with the administration and that CEOs would be at the White House next week to formally begin negotiations. In a rare show of defiance, drug makers skipped the meeting, several outlets reported.
The ginned-up indignation of former Lilly lobbyist Azar is beyond funny.
Trump wants to end the free ride other countries have been taking on our drug expertise. This is a good thing.