Former Lilly Exec Alex Azar Sworn In As Health Secretary

Associated Press

Alex Azar takes his seat as he arrives to testify at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, to consider his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.
*AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster*

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has sworn in to serve as his second health secretary at the White House.

The former drug company executive and official in George W. Bush's administration succeeds former Republican Georgia congressman Tom Price, who resigned last fall following an outcry over his use of costly private charter aircraft for official travel.

Azar's nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services was approved by the Senate last week, largely along party lines.

Azar has said his priorities include curbing the cost of prescription drugs, making health insurance more affordable and available, and confronting the opioid addiction epidemic.

Trump says, "He's going to get those prescription drug prices way down."

Azar spent a decade as a senior executive of Indianapolis-based drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co.

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