Azar Names Senior Advisors on Drug Pricing, Opioid Crisis

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar yesterday named former CVS Health executive Daniel Best as his senior advisor on drug pricing reform, and Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir, M.D., as his senior advisor on mental health and opioid policy. Best most recently served as corporate vice president of industry relations for CVS Health’s Medicare Part D business and before that spend 12 years at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Giroir will coordinate the agency’s efforts across the administration to fight the opioid crisis, in addition to his duties as assistant secretary for health. “Under President Trump, HHS has an historic opportunity to confront a number of America’s pressing health challenges, including the high price of prescription drugs and our country’s opioid crisis,” Azar said. “These leaders will play a unique role at HHS in driving coordination and results on these vital issues.”