John O'Brien is leaving HHS as secretary for drug pricing reform

8/13/2019
The Department of Health and Human Services is making some staffing changes. John O’Brien will be leaving his role as senior advisor to the secretary for drug pricing reform. John Brooks, currently principal deputy director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will expand his current responsibilities to serve as senior advisor for drug pricing reform.

“John O’Brien’s time at HHS will leave a legacy of lasting improvements to American healthcare, including the way that Americans pay for prescription drugs. From the beginning of President Trump’s administration, John led policy research, analysis and development on a number of important issues, including strengthening the Medicare program for our seniors and addressing the effects of the Affordable Care Act,” said HHS secretary Alex Azar.

Azar continued, “Later, he turned his attention and deep expertise to prescription drug pricing. Prices and out-of-pocket costs are lower, and will go lower still, because of the work we did to execute on President Trump’s American Patients First blueprint. John was one of the key architects of that blueprint, he was one of the key leaders in its execution, and we are grateful for his service. John Brooks will bring significant experience from the top levels of the White House, HHS, and CMS to continue delivering on President Trump’s vision for lower drug prices, lower out-of-pocket costs, and more affordable healthcare for all Americans.”

The Association for Accessible Medicines issued a statement Monday regarding O'Brien's departure.

“John O'Brien has been a tireless advocate on behalf of patients for his entire tenure with the Trump Administration. As one of the architects of the President's blueprint to lower drug prices, John used his experience, intellect and passion to forge policies that recognize the critical importance of generic and biosimilar medicines in lowering out-of-pocket costs for all Americans,” AAM president and CEO Chip Davis said. “John has diligently kept access to these important medicines as a primary focus of the Administration's prescription drug policies. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds