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I generally agree Trump's interest in Novartis isn't, by itself, enough of an explanation, and that Trump probably wants a miracle cure and doesn't care about the problems of hyping one.
But there are several conflict-of-interest / self-dealing issues that need to be explored./1 https://twitter.com/MattGertz/status/1247495911414136834
But there are several conflict-of-interest / self-dealing issues that need to be explored./1 https://twitter.com/MattGertz/status/1247495911414136834
Novartis holds the brand-label, but hydroxychloroquine is generic, and the bulk is made by other companies. About half is made in India, which just banned exports.
Issue #1: Does Trump or anyone in his orbit have interests in U.S. suppliers?
/2 https://twitter.com/lisadont/status/1247147789261271041
Issue #1: Does Trump or anyone in his orbit have interests in U.S. suppliers?
/2 https://twitter.com/lisadont/status/1247147789261271041
In other words, how much of an interest does Trump, or those close to him, have in the sellers of hydroxychloroquine? Given HHS's & FDA's intensely partisan behavior lately, it'd hardly be surprising if some fly-by-night manufacturers or resellers were suddenly approved.
/3
/3
Which is Issue #2: which companies, exactly, are selling hydroxchloroquine to government entities, and how much? With a broken Executive Branch, it wouldn't be hard to set up egregious overpriced purchases. Seems ripe for @OversightDems and for FOIA-inclined journalists. /4
For all we know Medicare hired a pharmacy benefit manager company owned by Jared Kushner & Rudy Giuliani to buy hydroxchloroquine from a reseller owned by Wilbur Ross & Betsy DeVos. There's ample room for drug fraud when you control HHS & DOJ and the GOP Senate doesn't care.
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