Alex Azar

Azar was born on June 17, 1967, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the son of Lynda (Zarisky) and Alex Michael Azar Sr.{{cite web |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/2017/11/13/trump-names-alex-azar-former-salisbury-resident-hhs-secretary/858033001/ |title='Only in America': Trump nominates Salisbury's Azar for top Cabinet post |access-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520150004/https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/2017/11/13/trump-names-alex-azar-former-salisbury-resident-hhs-secretary/858033001/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://camgenpa.com/obit/scans/_prgs/obDetl.php?recd=37653 |title=Obituary of Zarisky, Sarah L. (Lamb), Cambria County, PA |publisher=camgenpa.com |access-date=February 3, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131081009/http://www.camgenpa.com/obit/scans/_prgs/obDetl.php?recd=37653 |archive-date=January 31, 2018}} His father is a retired ophthalmologist who practiced ophthalmology in Salisbury, Maryland, for more than 30 years, and taught at Johns Hopkins Hospital. His grandfather emigrated from Lebanon in the early 20th century. The family originates from Amioun.{{Cite web|url = https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/secretary/speeches/2019-speeches/remarks-to-the-american-task-force-for-lebanon.html|title = HHS Leadership|date = January 20, 2015|access-date = August 24, 2020|archive-date = April 4, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210404152447/https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/index.html|url-status = live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/11/13/former-pharmaceutical-ceo-nominated-trump-head-department-health-and-human-services/858240001/ |title=Who is Alex Azar? Former drugmaker CEO and HHS official nominated to head agency |last=Groppe |first=Maureen |date=November 13, 2017 |work=USA Today |access-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304061955/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/11/13/former-pharmaceutical-ceo-nominated-trump-head-department-health-and-human-services/858240001/ |url-status=live }}

Azar attended Parkside High School in Salisbury, Maryland, where he graduated in 1985. He received a B.A. degree summa cum laude in government and economics from Dartmouth College in 1988. He belonged to the Kappa Kappa Kappa fraternity. He earned a J.D. degree from Yale Law School in 1991, where he served as a member of the executive committee of the Yale Law Journal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hhs.gov:80/about/bios/deputysecretary.html|title=Biography of Alex Michael Azar II, Deputy Secretary|date=June 19, 2006|website=United States Department of Health & Human Services|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206104318/http://www.hhs.gov/about/bios/deputysecretary.html|archive-date=February 6, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=December 31, 2018|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite web|url=http://apps.americanbar.org/abastore/products/books/abstracts/5630101bios_abs.pdf|title=Faculty Biographies – 3rd Annual Washington Healthcare Summit|last=Aviv|first=Diana|date=October 21, 2005|website=American Bar Association|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231151037/http://apps.americanbar.org/abastore/products/books/abstracts/5630101bios_abs.pdf|archive-date=December 31, 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:Starr, Kavanaugh, and Azar.jpg and Brett Kavanaugh in the 1990s]]

After law school, from 1991 to 1992, Azar served as a law clerk for Judge Alex Kozinski of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Azar left after six weeks, and was replaced in Kozinski's chambers by Brett Kavanaugh.{{cite web |last1=Mystal |first1=Elie |title=Could HHS Secretary Alex Azar Derail Brett Kavanaugh? |date=September 7, 2018 |url=https://abovethelaw.com/2018/09/could-hhs-secretary-alex-azar-derail-brett-kavanaugh/ |publisher=Above The Law |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404151533/https://abovethelaw.com/2018/09/could-hhs-secretary-alex-azar-derail-brett-kavanaugh/ |url-status=live }} Azar subsequently clerked for the remainder of the term for Judge J. Michael Luttig of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. From 1992 to 1993, he served as a law clerk for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia of the United States Supreme Court.{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2018-01-29/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-alex-azar|title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Alex Azar|last=Newman|first=Katelyn|work=U.S. News & World Report|date=January 29, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126094825/https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2018-01-29/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-alex-azar|url-status=live}}

From 1994 to 1996, he served as an associate independent counsel for Ken Starr in the United States Office of the Independent Counsel, where he worked on the first two years of the investigation into the Whitewater controversy.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-13-mn-38169-story.html |title=Starr Names His First Whitewater Aides: Investigation: Independent counsel announces appointments to fill out prosecution team. He names a Fiske holdover as a top deputy. |last=Risen |first=James |date=September 13, 1994 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 25, 2018 |author-link=James Risen |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722205831/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-13-mn-38169-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/09/13/whitewater-counsel-assembles-team/0e237acc-f657-4e78-9a7a-5a98c70e337b/|title=Whitewater Counsel Assembles Team|last=Schmidt|first=Susan|date=September 13, 1994|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 25, 2018|author-link=Susan Schmidt|archive-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707062424/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/09/13/whitewater-counsel-assembles-team/0e237acc-f657-4e78-9a7a-5a98c70e337b/|url-status=live}} At the time of Azar's appointment, he was working as an associate in Starr's law firm.

Between 1996 and 2001, Azar worked for Wiley Rein, a Washington, D.C., law firm, where he achieved partner status.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldcongress.com/speakerBio.cfm?speakerID=1450 |title=Alex M. Azar II – Biography |publisher=World Congress |access-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304093439/https://www.worldcongress.com/speakerBio.cfm?speakerID=1450 |url-status=dead }}

File:Alex Azar official photo.jpg

On August 3, 2001, Azar was confirmed as general counsel of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/107th-congress/492|title=PN492 – Nomination of Alex Azar II for Department of Health and Human Services, 107th Congress (2001–2002)|publisher=United States Congress|date=August 3, 2001|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707090647/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/107th-congress/492|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov:80/news/nominations/39.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021102172755/http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/nominations/39.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2002|title=Presidential Nomination: Alex Michael Azar|date=2002-11-02|access-date=2018-07-07|df=mdy-all}} George W. Bush's first HHS secretary, Tommy Thompson, said Azar played an important role in responding to the 2001 anthrax attacks, ensuring there was a vaccine ready for smallpox, and dealing with outbreaks of SARS and influenza. On July 22, 2005, Azar was confirmed as the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services.{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/109th-congress/430 |title=PN430 – Nomination of Alex Azar II for Department of Health and Human Services, 109th Congress (2005–2006) |publisher=United States Congress |date=July 22, 2005 |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811010111/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/109th-congress/430 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/nominations/50.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061122120810/http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/nominations/50.html|url-status=live|archive-date=November 22, 2006|title=Presidential Nomination: Alex Michael Azar|date=November 22, 2006|access-date=February 3, 2018}} He was twice confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate.

Working under Secretary Mike Leavitt, Deputy Azar supervised the operation of HHS, which would grow to an annual budget of over $1 trillion by 2017 when he was appointed secretary. Azar led the development and approval of HHS regulations, led U.S. government efforts to encourage worldwide pharmaceutical and medical device innovation, and was in charge of the HHS response to an initiative implemented by President George W. Bush to improve government performance. Azar resigned in January 2007.{{cite web |url=https://www.biocentury.com/bc-extra/politics-policy/2007-01-17/azar-resigns-hhs-deputy-secretary |title=Azar resigns as HHS deputy secretary |publisher=BioCentury |date=January 17, 2007 |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225072015/https://www.biocentury.com/bc-extra/politics-policy/2007-01-17/azar-resigns-hhs-deputy-secretary |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}

In June 2007, Azar was hired by Eli Lilly and Company chief executive officer Sidney Taurel to be the company's top lobbyist and spokesman as its senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications.{{cite news |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/11/alex-azar-health-secretary-nominee-oversaw-worked-for-eli-lilly.html |title=Trump Health Secretary Nominee Left Job Overseeing Eli Lilly Investigation to Become Eli Lilly's Top Lobbyist |first=Ben |last=Mathis-Lilley |work=Slate |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509020047/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/11/alex-azar-health-secretary-nominee-oversaw-worked-for-eli-lilly.html |url-status=live }}

In April 2009, Azar became vice president of Lilly's U.S. Managed Healthcare Services organization and its Puerto Rico affiliate. In 2009, the company paid $1.415 billion to settle criminal charges regarding its promotion of antipsychotic drug Zyprexa (olanzapine) for off-label uses between 1999 and 2005.

Effective January 1, 2012, Azar became president of Lilly USA, LLC, the largest division of Eli Lilly and Company, and was responsible for the company's entire operations in the United States.{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-announces-changes-in-senior-management-131508298.html |title=Lilly Announces Changes in Senior Management |publisher=PRNewswire |date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707063801/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-announces-changes-in-senior-management-131508298.html |url-status=live }} Prices for drugs rose substantially under Azar's leadership, including the tripling of the cost of the company's top-selling insulin drug. Also under Azar's watch, Eli Lilly was one of three companies accused in a class-action lawsuit of exploiting the drug pricing system to increase profits for insulin. Eli Lilly was also fined in Mexico for colluding on the price of insulin.{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/14/alex-azar-eli-lilly-drug-prices-244888 |title=Trump's HHS secretary nominee boosted drug prices while at Eli Lilly |first=Sarah |last=Karlin-Smith |website=Politico |date=November 14, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302205103/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/14/alex-azar-eli-lilly-drug-prices-244888 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2017-11-13/hhs-secretary-nominee-alex-azar-a-friend-to-health-care-firms|title=Alex Azar Is a Friend to Health-Care Companies|first=Max|last=Nisen|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=November 13, 2017|access-date=November 13, 2017|archive-date=May 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517032810/https://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2017-11-13/hhs-secretary-nominee-alex-azar-a-friend-to-health-care-firms|url-status=live}}

In connection with the position, Azar served on the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a pharmaceutical lobby.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/13/politics/alex-azar-health-and-human-services-secretary/index.html |title=Trump picks former pharma exec, ex-Bush official to lead HHS department |first=Maegan |last=Vazquez |publisher=CNN |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121183348/https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/13/politics/alex-azar-health-and-human-services-secretary/index.html |url-status=live }}

In January 2017, Azar resigned from Eli Lilly "to pursue other career opportunities" as a result of a company reorganization.{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-to-adjust-organization-and-leadership-structure-to-better-align-with-growth-opportunities-300386251.html |title=Lilly to Adjust Organization and Leadership Structure to Better Align with Growth Opportunities |publisher=PRNewswire |date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221162706/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-to-adjust-organization-and-leadership-structure-to-better-align-with-growth-opportunities-300386251.html |url-status=live }} He also resigned from the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. In his last year at the corporation he earned $2 million.[https://theintercept.com/2020/02/29/cronyism-and-conflicts-of-interest-in-trumps-coronavirus-task-force/ Cronyism and Conflicts of Interest In Trump's Coronavirus Task Force] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312224038/https://theintercept.com/2020/02/29/cronyism-and-conflicts-of-interest-in-trumps-coronavirus-task-force/ |date=March 12, 2020 }}, The Intercept, Sharon Lerner, February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.

File:POTD-January-30-2018-2.jpg and Vice President Pence in the Oval Office shortly after being sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in January 2018]]

On November 13, 2017, President Trump announced via Twitter that he would nominate Azar to be the next secretary of health and human services.

Many health care advocates raised concerns about the nomination, citing Azar's track record of raising drug prices and his opposition to Obamacare.[https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/advocacy-groups-slam-azar-ahead-of-committee-hearing-next-week/514017/ Advocacy Groups Slam Azar Ahead of Committee Hearing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226213437/https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/advocacy-groups-slam-azar-ahead-of-committee-hearing-next-week/514017/ |date=February 26, 2020 }}, HEALTHCAREDIVE, David Lim, January 4, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2020. Critics noted that Azar approved a tripling of the price of insulin while vice president of Managed Healthcare Services of Eli Lilly.[https://www.newsweek.com/hhs-alex-azar-import-cheaper-drugs-canada-1451931 HHS Secretary Alex Azar now wants the Trump administration to import cheaper drugs from Canada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215164325/https://www.newsweek.com/hhs-alex-azar-import-cheaper-drugs-canada-1451931 |date=December 15, 2019 }}, Newsweek, Alexandra Hutzler, July 31, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2020. Speaking in favor of his nomination were two former U.S. Senate majority leaders, Democrat Tom Daschle and Republican Bill Frist. Both those endorsers were affiliated with the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, D.C., think-tank which receives support from Eli Lilly.[https://theintercept.com/2017/11/29/health-and-human-services-alex-azar-eli-lilly-ap/ "Pundits Funded by Drug Company Applaud Its Takeover of Trump Health Department"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122033425/https://theintercept.com/2017/11/29/health-and-human-services-alex-azar-eli-lilly-ap/ |date=January 22, 2020 }}, The Intercept, Zaid Jilani, November 29, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2020.

In spite of objections, his nomination was relatively smooth. Azar was confirmed on January 24, 2018, with a vote of 55–43,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/us/politics/alex-azar-health-and-human-services-secretary-confirmed-senate.html |title=Senate Confirms Trump Nominee Alex Azar as Health Secretary |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 24, 2018 |access-date=January 24, 2018 |last1=Pear |first1=Robert |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707062655/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/us/politics/alex-azar-health-and-human-services-secretary-confirmed-senate.html |url-status=live }} with most Democrats opposed. Voting against him, Oregon senator Ron Wyden, ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, said that while Azar was at Eli Lilly, he "never, not one time, signed off on a decrease in the price of a drug."[https://time.com/5791798/alex-azar-hhs-coronavirus/ "Meet HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the Official Chairing the Coronavirus Task Force"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301052506/https://time.com/5791798/alex-azar-hhs-coronavirus/ |date=March 1, 2020 }}, Time, Tessa Berenson, February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020. Senator Bernie Sanders said in a press release, "The nomination of Alex Azar, the former head of Eli Lilly's U.S. operations, shows that Trump was never serious about his promise to stop the pharmaceutical industry from 'getting away with murder'." "The last thing we need is to put a pharmaceutical executive in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services." During that tenure, Eli Lilly was fined for colluding to maintain high drug costs in Mexico.[https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-alex-azar-trumps-hhs-nominee/ What You Need to Know about Alex Azar, Trump's HHS Nominee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119191227/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-alex-azar-trumps-hhs-nominee/ |date=January 19, 2021 }}, Scientific American, Dina Fine Maron, November 28, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2020.

Azar had additionally consulted with numerous other biopharmaceutical and health insurance corporations regarding government policy, product access, sales and marketing, pricing, reimbursement, and distribution. He was confirmed by the Senate on January 24, 2018, and sworn in by Vice President Pence on January 29, 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/29/watch-alex-azar-sworn-in-as-trumps-new-health-care-chief.html|title=Alex Azar sworn in as Trump's new health-care chief|last=Mangan|first=Dan|date=January 29, 2018|website=cnbc.com|access-date=March 29, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515092834/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/29/watch-alex-azar-sworn-in-as-trumps-new-health-care-chief.html|url-status=live}}

From March to December 2018, Azar sat on the Federal Commission on School Safety.{{cite web|url=https://www.ed.gov/school-safety|title=Federal Commission on School Safety|publisher=United States Department of Education|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114225946/https://www.ed.gov/school-safety|url-status=live}}

Azar had prolonged disputes with Seema Verma, who was Trump's administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).{{Cite web |last1=Pradhan |first1=Rachana |last2=Cancryn |first2=Adam |last3=Diamond |first3=Dan |date=November 26, 2019 |title=Clashes among top HHS officials undermine Trump agenda |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/26/hhs-trump-azar-verma-074149 |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=POLITICO |language=en |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501110434/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/26/hhs-trump-azar-verma-074149 |url-status=live }} She accused Azar and his HHS predecessor, Tom Price, of sexist management; an inquiry by a former Trump HHS official, Heather Flick, concluded that Azar had not discriminated.{{Cite web |last=Owens |first=Caitlin |date=2019-12-18 |title=Inside the bitter feud at Trump's health agencies |url=https://www.axios.com/2019/12/18/hhs-azar-verma-feud |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Axios |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207102256/https://www.axios.com/2019/12/18/hhs-azar-verma-feud |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Pradhan |first1=Rachana |last2=Cancryn |first2=Adam |last3=Diamond |first3=Dan |date=December 10, 2019 |title=Medicare chief sought to bring complaints against previous boss, as well |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/10/seema-verma-tom-price-081059 |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=POLITICO |language=en |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327110404/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/10/seema-verma-tom-price-081059 |url-status=live }} Azar was widely reported to spar with his subordinates,{{Cite web |last=Cancryn |first=Adam |date=2021-03-25 |title='Alex Azar Anonymous': Trump health officials start a club to counter former HHS chief |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/25/trump-health-officials-battle-covid-478111 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=POLITICO |language=en}} leading to criticism of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic response.{{Cite magazine |date=2020-04-23 |title=Not a Joke: The Trump Admin Hired a Dog Breeder to Run Its Coronavirus Task Force |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/04/brian-harrison-dog-breeder-coronavirus |access-date=2023-12-12 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}

On January 20, 2021, immediately after the end of the Trump administration, China sanctioned Azar and other Trump administration officials. The sanctioned people cannot travel to China and cannot do business with China.{{Cite news |date=January 20, 2021 |last=Lee |first=Matthew |title=China hits Trump officials with sanctions on their way out |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-travel-beijing-alex-azar-john-bolton-9b51fad30387099f5a66074f71f085df |access-date=2021-01-21 |work=AP News |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121133216/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-travel-beijing-alex-azar-john-bolton-9b51fad30387099f5a66074f71f085df |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=January 20, 2021 |last=McEvoy |first=Jemima |title=China Sanctions Top Trump Officials, Including Pompeo, Navarro And Azar |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/01/20/china-sanctions-top-trump-officials-including-pompeo-navarro-and-azar/ |access-date=2021-01-21 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128065105/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/01/20/china-sanctions-top-trump-officials-including-pompeo-navarro-and-azar/ |url-status=live }} President Biden's National Security Council called the sanctions "unproductive and cynical."{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-sanctions-idUSKBN29Q09B |access-date= 21 January 2021 |website= Reuters |title= Biden administration calls China sanctions on Trump officials 'unproductive and cynical' |date= January 21, 2021 |last1= Martina |first1= Michael |archive-date= October 9, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211009130703/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-sanctions-idUSKBN29Q09B |url-status= live }}

As Secretary of Health, Azar presided over the release of the Trump administration's National Biodefense Strategy in 2018 and the Global Health Security Strategy in 2019.

Azar was an opponent of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. and predicted in 2017, "There will be a piece of legislation passes this year that is called the repeal of Obamacare. I don't know what's going to be in the substance of it, but there will be a piece of legislation that says that."{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/13/trump-nominates-alex-azar-as-next-hhs-secretary.html |title=Trump nominates former drug company executive Alex Azar as next Health and Human Services secretary |first=Dan |last=Mangan |publisher=CNBC |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220114943/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/13/trump-nominates-alex-azar-as-next-hhs-secretary.html |url-status=live }} Also regarding the ACA, Azar said the Department of Health and Human Services has latitude to "make it work a little better".

Azar opposes abortion. In a written response to Senator Patty Murray regarding future HHS policy, he said, "The mission of HHS is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, and this includes the unborn."{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5117503/alex-azar-health-human-services/ |title=There's a New Health Secretary. What Will He Mean for Women's Health? |magazine=Time |access-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125064631/http://time.com/5117503/alex-azar-health-human-services/ |url-status=live }}

File:President Trump Hosts a Listening Session (49118848461).jpg, Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, and Azar during a White House listening session on youth vaping and electronic cigarette use]]

According to The New York Times, Azar differed with his predecessor, Tom Price, in his approach to regulations. Writing in May 2018, the Times reported, "in a sharp break from his predecessor – and from most Trump cabinet secretaries – he seems to be relishing the chance to write new regulations, rather than just crossing out Obama-era ones."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/18/upshot/alex-azar-trumps-health-and-human-services-secretary-joyful-regulator.html|title=Trump's New Health and Human Services Secretary Is a Joyful Regulator|date=2018-05-18|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-05-19|archive-date=May 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519172337/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/18/upshot/alex-azar-trumps-health-and-human-services-secretary-joyful-regulator.html|url-status=live}}

File:White House Press Briefing (49483221341).jpg press corps on COVID-19 in March 2020]]

File:President Trump Signs the Congressional Funding Bill for Coronavirus Response (49627907646).jpg into law in March 2020]]

Azar learned about the COVID-19 threat on January 3, 2020. Azar informed associates that he had alerted Trump on January 18, 2020, regarding the potential danger from COVID-19, but that the president thought he was being "alarmist" as Azar struggled to get Trump's attention to focus on the issue.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/05/worst-president-ever/ The Worst President. Ever.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406144801/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/05/worst-president-ever/ |date=April 6, 2020 }}, The Washington Post, Max Boot, April 5, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020. Despite Azar's warnings, four days later, Trump announced, "We have it totally under control. It's one person coming in from China."{{cite news |title=Trump says he trusts China's Xi on coronavirus and the US has it 'totally under control' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/22/trump-on-coronavirus-from-china-we-have-it-totally-under-control.html |work=CNBC |date=January 22, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020 |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428114740/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/22/trump-on-coronavirus-from-china-we-have-it-totally-under-control.html |url-status=live }} On January 28, 2020, Azar stated that the Trump administration had no plan to declare a public health emergency as the COVID-19 virus spread in China. He asserted that the risk to Americans was minimal, but admitted that authorities in 30 states were monitoring potential cases and added that he would not "hesitate at all to invoke any authorities I need to, to ensure we're taking all steps to protect the American people, but I'll do it when it's appropriate." U.S. senator Rick Scott, U.S. representative Vern Buchanan, and other Republicans demanded that a public health emergency be declared as a means of budgeting necessary federal funding to deal with the potential pandemic.

At the time, Azar said, there were just five confirmed cases in the U.S., there was no known person-to-person transmission, and every confirmed U.S. victim had traveled to Wuhan, China, the outbreak's place of origin. "This is potentially a very serious public health threat, but at this time Americans should not worry about their own safety", Azar said. At that point, the disease had killed at least 106 people in China, with more than 4,500 cases confirmed.[https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/28/wuhan-coronavirus-health-108197 What the best public health minds know — and don't know — about Wuhan coronavirus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201084432/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/28/wuhan-coronavirus-health-108197 |date=February 1, 2020 }}, Politico, Joanne Kenen, January 28, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020. On January 29, 2020, Azar told Trump that the COVID-19 epidemic was under control.{{cite news |title=Health Chief's Early Missteps Set Back Coronavirus Response |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/health-chiefs-early-missteps-set-back-coronavirus-response-11587570514?cx_testId=3&cx_testVariant=cx_2&cx_artPos=3 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520074422/https://www.wsj.com/articles/health-chiefs-early-missteps-set-back-coronavirus-response-11587570514?cx_testId=3&cx_testVariant=cx_2&cx_artPos=3 |url-status=live }}

However, two days later, on January 31, 2020, Azar declared a public health emergency.{{cite web |url=https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/01/31/secretary-azar-declares-public-health-emergency-us-2019-novel-coronavirus.html |title=Secretary Azar Declares Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus |date=January 31, 2020 |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-date=April 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401233744/https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/01/31/secretary-azar-declares-public-health-emergency-us-2019-novel-coronavirus.html |url-status=live }} The determination that a public health emergency existed from COVID-19 was renewed in April, July, and October 2020, and in January 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/default.aspx |title=Public Health Emergency Declarations |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330023558/https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=live }}

On February 27, U.S. representative Jimmy Gomez of California revealed that he had been contacted by a whistleblower from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who had been dispatched to deal with the arrivals of travelers exposed to the coronavirus. There were allegations made that those sent from the HHS to California quarantine sites lacked both sufficient protective clothing and the training necessary to prepare them to deal with the contagion, though they were working alongside CDC personnel who wore adequate protective gear.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/whistleblower-feds-helping-evacuees-lacked-virus-protection/2020/02/27/7011d982-59be-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html Whistleblower Feds helping evacuees lacked virus protection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228195553/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/whistleblower-feds-helping-evacuees-lacked-virus-protection/2020/02/27/7011d982-59be-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html |date=February 28, 2020 }}, The Washington Post, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar (AP), February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020. The whistleblower also said that professionals raising concerns about the unsafe practices were subjected to retaliation.

Azar responded to the issues raised by Gomez, saying, "Urgency does not compensate for violating isolation and quarantine protocols" and adding, "I'd want to know the full facts and would take appropriate remedial measures."[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/28/coronavirus-whistleblower-complaint-prepared-covid-evacuees/4901176002/ Coronavirus updates: WHO increases risk to 'very high,' tells governments to 'wake up'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303033628/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/28/coronavirus-whistleblower-complaint-prepared-covid-evacuees/4901176002/ |date=March 3, 2020 }}, USA Today, Adrianna Rodriguez, February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020. Azar insisted that careful protocols were being observed by all CDC employees.

On February 28, 2020, United States Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden wrote Azar to ask why employees of the HHS Administration for Children and Families were involuntarily dispatched to California to meet with quarantined travelers despite lacking expertise in the field and lacking proper information, equipment, and training. Wyden also asked why said employees were not cleared to ensure that they had not become carriers of the disease before they were returned to their home stations.[https://www.axios.com/alex-azar-coronavirus-ron-wyden-12a703ac-9a41-44fa-901c-d7524594d2d6.html Sen. Ron Wyden asks HHS how agency employees are tested for coronavirus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229115829/https://www.axios.com/alex-azar-coronavirus-ron-wyden-12a703ac-9a41-44fa-901c-d7524594d2d6.html |date=February 29, 2020 }}, Axios, Orion Rummler, February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.

On April 25, 2020, multiple media outlets reported that the White House was weighing a plan to oust Azar due to frustrations over his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url = https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/25/white-house-replace-alex-azar-208151|title = White House weighing plan to replace Azar|website = Politico| date=April 25, 2020 |access-date = April 26, 2020|archive-date = March 16, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210316220023/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/25/white-house-replace-alex-azar-208151|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/25/politics/white-house-health-and-human-services-secretary-alex-azar/index.html|title=White House officials are discussing plans to replace HHS Secretary Alex Azar|website=CNN|date=April 26, 2020 |access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124011758/https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/25/politics/white-house-health-and-human-services-secretary-alex-azar/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-azar/white-house-considering-replacing-hhs-chief-azar-reports-idUSKCN22801B|title=White House considering replacing HHS chief Azar: Reports|newspaper=Reuters|date=April 26, 2020|access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308183203/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-azar/white-house-considering-replacing-hhs-chief-azar-reports-idUSKCN22801B|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-in-talks-to-replace-health-and-human-services-secretary-alex-azar-11587860458|title = White House in Talks to Replace Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar|newspaper = The Wall Street Journal|date = April 26, 2020|access-date = April 26, 2020|archive-date = April 26, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200426023249/https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-in-talks-to-replace-health-and-human-services-secretary-alex-azar-11587860458|url-status = live}}

The following day, President Trump tweeted that such reports were "fake news" and that he has no plans to replace Azar.{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/26/trump-alexazar-replacement/| title = White House officials weigh replacement of HHS Secretary Azar - The Washington Post| newspaper = The Washington Post| access-date = April 28, 2020| archive-date = April 28, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200428023035/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/26/trump-alexazar-replacement/| url-status = live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-tamps-down-azar-departure-speculation-11587949831|title=Trump Tamps Down Azar Departure Speculation|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=April 27, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428071000/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-tamps-down-azar-departure-speculation-11587949831|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-hhs-secretary-alex-azar-excellent-job-reports-fired-false|title=Trump: HHS Secretary Azar 'doing an excellent job,' reports he'll be 'fired' false|website=Fox News|date=April 26, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404152437/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-hhs-secretary-alex-azar-excellent-job-reports-fired-false|url-status=live}}

Azar picked Brian Harrison, a 37-year old former Labradoodle breeder who had no formal education in public health or related fields, but who had worked in the HHS for six years, as HHS's main coordinator for the government's response to the coronavirus.{{Cite news|date=2020-04-24|title=Special Report: Former Labradoodle breeder was tapped to lead U.S. pandemic task force|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-hhschief-speci-idUSKCN2243CE|access-date=2020-05-16|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313092923/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-hhschief-speci-idUSKCN2243CE|url-status=live}}

As secretary of health and human services, Azar was responsible for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a key institution in charge of containing contagious diseases. On January 28, 2020, Azar requested that the Chinese government allow a CDC expert team into their country to help them learn more about the virus. Referring to the SARS epidemic 17 years earlier, Azar said, "I can say that the posture of the Chinese government levels of cooperation and interaction with us is completely different from what we experienced in 2003 and I want to commend them for such assistance." The World Health Organization had already agreed to supply international experts to visit China "as soon as possible". Seventy-three possible cases were being monitored in the U.S. Simultaneously, the CDC had ramped up coronavirus screenings of travelers coming into the U.S. at 20 airports. Azar said it might be possible to ban any travelers arriving from China, and all options had to be considered. "Diseases are not terribly good at respecting borders", he added.[https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/480283-health-chief-no-plans-to-declare-public-health-emergency-over-coronavirus HHS chief: No plans to declare public health emergency over coronavirus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201165323/https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/480283-health-chief-no-plans-to-declare-public-health-emergency-over-coronavirus |date=February 1, 2020 }}, The Hill, Nathaniel Weixel, January 28, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.

On February 25, 2020, Azar appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to testify on the danger of and responses to the pandemic. Louisiana Republican senator John Kennedy asked both Azar and Chad Wolf about the fatality rate in victims. Azar said that the fatality rate of seasonal influenza was about 0.1%, and that the fatality rate of COVID-19 was estimated at between 1% and 2%; however, Azar added that the latter figure was uncertain because there might be many mild coronavirus cases yet unreported.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbQKEZDpxuE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/XbQKEZDpxuE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=02 25 20 Kennedy questions Secretary Azar on coronavirus during Appropriations Committee hearing; 3:24|website=YouTube|date=February 25, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}

Chad Wolf said that the fatality rate for COVID-19 was between 1.5% and 2%, and said incorrectly that the fatality rate for influenza over the last 10 years in America was similar (about 2%).{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iz0dQbGLbE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/5iz0dQbGLbE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=02 25 20 Kennedy questions Acting Sec. Wolf on coronavirus during Appropriations Committee hearing; 2:21|website=YouTube|date=February 25, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/25/chad-wolf-john-kennedy-coronavirus/|title=Trump's DHS head has a brutal exchange on coronavirus – courtesy of a GOP senator|date=25 February 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229065733/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/25/chad-wolf-john-kennedy-coronavirus/|url-status=live}} Kennedy was unhappy with the briefing, saying afterward, "I thought a lot of the briefing was bullshit ... They would answer the question but dodge, bob, and weave. I understand there's a lot they don't know. I get that. But they need to answer the questions straight up. They all talk about a task force, a committee – a committee's not going to solve this problem."{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/02/25/cdc-coronavirus-inevitable/|title=Coronavirus's spread in U.S. is 'inevitable,' CDC warns|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 26, 2020|archive-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302230544/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/02/25/cdc-coronavirus-inevitable/|url-status=live}}

Trump's officials tried to allay concerns that their request for $2.5 billion was insufficient to address the epidemic. Some Republicans joined Democrats in criticizing the funds requested and found transparency lacking with regard to a coherent strategy to contain the virus. Another Republican, Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama, told Azar: "If you lowball something like this, you'll pay for it later."[https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/25/trump-officials-defend-coronavirus-request-117329 Coronavirus triggers swift bipartisan backlash against Trump] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225235715/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/25/trump-officials-defend-coronavirus-request-117329 |date=February 25, 2020 }}, Politico, Rachel Roubein and Alice Miranda Ollstein, February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/02/25/cdc-coronavirus-inevitable/ Coronavirus's spread in U.S. is 'inevitable,' CDC warns] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302230544/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/02/25/cdc-coronavirus-inevitable/ |date=March 2, 2020 }}, The Washington Post, Erica Werner, Yasmeen Abutaleb, Lena H. Sun, and Lenny Bernstein, February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020. Pennsylvania Democratic congressman Brendan Boyle asked Azar how he could defend "draconian cuts" in the CDC budget "at the same time we are facing a unique worldwide health crisis."

Two years earlier, a coalition of global health organizations opposed Trump's plans to reduce the CDC's operations in 39 of 49 countries in which it had been helping to rapidly identify and suppress outbreaks of diseases. The coalition wrote to Azar, contending, "These programs are essential to our national defense".[https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/trump-says-he-can-bring-in-coronavirus-experts-quickly-the-experts-say-it-is-not-that-simple/2020/02/27/6ce214a6-5983-11ea-8753-73d96000faae_story.html Trump says he can bring in coronavirus experts quickly. The experts say it's not that simple] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302075823/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/trump-says-he-can-bring-in-coronavirus-experts-quickly-the-experts-say-it-is-not-that-simple/2020/02/27/6ce214a6-5983-11ea-8753-73d96000faae_story.html |date=March 2, 2020 }}, The Washington Post, Beth Reinhard, Emma Brown, and Neena Satija February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.[https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/05/white-house-alex-azar-coronavirus-122250 White House sidelines Azar from coronavirus response] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226145615/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/05/white-house-alex-azar-coronavirus-122250 |date=February 26, 2021 }}, Politico, Dan Diamond, Sarah Owermohle, and Meridith Mcgraw, March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020. In 2018, National Security Advisor John Bolton dismantled the task force charged with responsibility for planning and response to epidemics. The team's leader, Rear Admiral Timothy Ziemer, was the leader of the anti-malarial efforts under presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. White House Homeland Security Advisor Tom Bossert, who had advocated a comprehensive biodefense strategy against both pandemics and potential biological attacks, departed from the White House on the same day Bolton arrived.

On June 29, 2020, it was announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had agreed to buy 500,000 remdesivir treatment courses. The announcement mentioned that each five-day course of remdesivir for treatment of a patient with COVID-19 would cost at least $2,340.{{cite web

| author = Keane, Sean

| date = June 29, 2020

| title = US to buy 500,000 remdesivir coronavirus treatment courses at $2,340 each

| url = https://www.cnet.com/health/us-to-buy-500000-remdesivir-coronavirus-treatment-courses-at-2340-each/

| website = CNET (cnet.com)

| publisher = CBS Interactive (ViacomCBS)

| url-status = live

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200629202440/https://www.cnet.com/health/us-to-buy-500000-remdesivir-coronavirus-treatment-courses-at-2340-each/

| archive-date = June 29, 2020

| quote = The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has agreed to buy 500,000 remdesivir treatment courses, in the wake of clinical trials revealing the drug can help patients recover more quickly from COVID-19. A five-day course will cost $2,340, or $3,120 for commercially insured patients, biotech firm Gilead Sciences said.

Early last month, the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency authorization for remdesivir to be used in cases of COVID-19 when patients were "hospitalized with severe disease," shortly after the drug showed "clear-cut positive effect" in a US trial. ...

"To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it," HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a release.

}} HHS Secretary Alex Azar was quoted, and had said (in a press release) that "To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it."

{{further|COVID-19 testing}}

On March 2, 2020, Azar was criticized for unpreparedness that may have accelerated the spread of the virus. Some critics focused on the lack of definitive testing of those who might be spreading the virus. China had tested over one million people, while the CDC had tested fewer than 500 and its results had been undermined by problems with accuracy and potential contamination. There was substantial internal feuding with regard to formulation of policy at HHS and the CDC.[https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/02/azar-crosshairs-delays-coronavirus-tests-118796 Azar in the crosshairs for delays in virus tests] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303160351/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/02/azar-crosshairs-delays-coronavirus-tests-118796 |date=March 3, 2020 }}, Politico, Dan Diamond and Adam Cancryn, March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.

Azar argued that the pharmaceutical industry was best poised to discover, manufacture, and market a vaccine for coronavirus. When asked about the cost of vaccines, Azar responded that the price might be high, but that an important vaccine would be created even if many Americans could not afford it.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-administration-says-coronavirus-vaccine-may-not-be-affordable-2020-2|title=The Trump administration reversed course after saying the coronavirus vaccine might not be affordable for all Americans|last=Relman|first=Eliza|date=February 26, 2020|website=Business Insider|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302113409/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-administration-says-coronavirus-vaccine-may-not-be-affordable-2020-2|url-status=live}}

File:Operation Warp Speed Leaders Hold Briefing on Vaccine.webm in January 2021{{Cite web|date=2021-01-12|title=Remarks at Operation Warp Speed Briefing|url=https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/secretary/speeches/2021-speeches/remarks-at-operation-warp-speed-briefing.html|access-date=2021-01-19|website=HHS.gov|language=en|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119022845/https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/secretary/speeches/2021-speeches/remarks-at-operation-warp-speed-briefing.html|url-status=live}}]]

On January 12, 2021, Azar announced that HHS would be releasing remaining stockpiles of vaccine to states; however, at the time of the announcement, all stockpiles had already been exhausted.{{Cite web|author=Kristen Holmes and Sara Murray|title=Despite Trump administration promise, government has no more 'reserve' 2nd vaccine doses|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/coronavirus-vaccine-reserve-dose/index.html|access-date=2021-01-19|website=CNN|date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119072215/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/coronavirus-vaccine-reserve-dose/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Stanley-Becker|first1=Isaac|last2=Sun|first2=Lena H.|title=Vaccine reserve was exhausted when Trump administration vowed to release it, dashing hopes of expanded access|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/15/trump-vaccine-reserve-used-up/|access-date=2021-01-19|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212093439/https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/15/trump-vaccine-reserve-used-up/|url-status=live}} This was met with confusion and anger from various governors.{{Cite web|title=No stockpile? Governors hit Washington as vaccine chokepoints pile up|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/no-stockpile-governors-hit-washington-vaccine-chokepoints-pile-n1254442|access-date=2021-01-19|website=NBC News|date=January 15, 2021 |language=en|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302135349/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/no-stockpile-governors-hit-washington-vaccine-chokepoints-pile-n1254442|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2021-01-18|title=Governor Cuomo Issues Letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar Demanding Explanation for False Claim That Vaccine Doses 'Held in Physical Reserve' Would Be Shipped to States|url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-issues-letter-us-health-and-human-services-secretary-alex-azar-demanding|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Governor Andrew M. Cuomo|language=en|archive-date=February 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220094005/https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-issues-letter-us-health-and-human-services-secretary-alex-azar-demanding|url-status=live}}

In September 2020, Azar forbade health agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, from making new rules on foods, medicines, medical devices, or other products, including vaccines, without his permission. His memo to the agencies declared that such power "is reserved to the Secretary." Health advocates said that the memo raised questions about political meddling and might slow down decision-making. It was unclear if the change would affect work on COVID-19 vaccines.{{Cite news|last=Kaplan|first=Sheila|date=2020-09-19|title=In 'Power Grab,' Health Secretary Azar Asserts Authority Over F.D.A.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/19/health/azar-hhs-fda.html|access-date=2020-09-20|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324031650/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/19/health/azar-hhs-fda.html|url-status=live}}

File:20200810蔡英文總統接見「美國衛生部長阿札爾訪問團」4.jpg president Tsai Ing-wen in August 2020]]

On August 9, 2020, Azar was the first member of the U.S. Cabinet to visit Taiwan in six years.{{Cite news|author=陳韻聿|date=2020-08-06|title=美衛生部長率團抵台 行政專機星條旗象徵高規格|language=zh-tw|trans-title=The US Secretary of Health leads a delegation to Taiwan for an administrative plane, the Stars and Stripes symbolizes high standards|work=Central News Agency|publisher=中央社|url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/202008095007.aspx|url-status=live|access-date=August 25, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200809105736/https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/202008095007.aspx|archive-date=August 9, 2020|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |author=AIT - Taipei Main Office |title=HHS Secretary Alex Azar to Lead Delegation to Taiwan in First Visit by a U.S. HHS Secretary |url=https://www.ait.org.tw/hhs-secretary-alex-azar-to-lead-delegation-to-taiwan-in-first-visit-by-a-u-s-hhs-secretary/ |access-date=2020-08-05 |agency=American Institute in Taiwan |date=2020-08-05 |df=dmy-all |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202062233/https://www.ait.org.tw/hhs-secretary-alex-azar-to-lead-delegation-to-taiwan-in-first-visit-by-a-u-s-hhs-secretary/ |url-status=live }}

Azar said the trip was to convey Trump's support for Taiwan's leadership in global health, reiterate U.S. support for Taiwan, and cooperate on global health and health safety issues.{{cite news|author1=Chen Yunyu|title=China is dissatisfied with visiting Taiwan Isa wants Beijing to ignore Taiwan affairs|url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/202008100099.aspx|access-date=2020-08-10|agency=Central News Agency|date=2020-08-10|language=zh-tw|df=dmy-all|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016031349/https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/202008100099.aspx|url-status=live}} The next day, he signed a memorandum of understanding on Medical and Health Cooperation in Taipei.{{cite press release |author=國際合作組 |title=首次我與美國衛生部簽署「醫衛合作瞭解備忘錄」 |url=https://www.mohw.gov.tw/cp-4628-55165-1.html |access-date=2020-08-10 |agency=衛生福利部 |date=2020-08-10 |language=zh-tw |df=dmy-all |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125221855/https://www.mohw.gov.tw/cp-4628-55165-1.html |url-status=live }}{{cite AV media |people= Chen Shih-chung、Alex Azar |date= 2020-08-10 |title= AIT-TECRO衛生合作備忘錄簽署儀式 |language= zh-tw |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSmBQuge-EE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/jSmBQuge-EE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|location= 台北 |publisher= 公視新聞網 |medium= YouTube|df=dmy-all}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|title=Corona by Country – COVID-19 news from around the world, translated|url=https://coronabycountry.com/|access-date=2020-12-20|website=coronabycountry.com|language=en|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204012703/https://coronabycountry.com/|url-status=dead}}

On January 20, 2021, the Government of China imposed sanctions against Azar, outgoing U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo, former under secretary of state Keith J. Krach, outgoing U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, and 24 other former Trump officials.{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/24/world/asia/china-taiwan-strait-exercise-biden.html|title = China Sends Warplanes to Taiwan Strait in a Show of Force to Biden|newspaper = The New York Times|date = January 24, 2021|last1 = Ramzy|first1 = Austin|access-date = June 7, 2021|archive-date = June 17, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210617223559/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/24/world/asia/china-taiwan-strait-exercise-biden.html|url-status = live}} Biden's National Security Council called the sanctions "unproductive and cynical."

On January 12, 2021, Azar submitted his letter of resignation, effective January 20. Although he announced it as the customary resignation that all political appointees submit at the end of a presidential term,{{cite tweet|user=SecAzar|number=1350276272862146561|title=I handed in my letter this week along with every other political appointee, effective January 20 at noon.}} the resignation letter included commentary urging President Trump to promote a peaceful and orderly transition to the Biden presidency in view of the storming of the U.S. Capitol the previous week.{{Cite news |author= |date=2021-01-16 |title=U.S. health secretary Azar resigns, cites Capitol attack: CNN |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-azar-idUSKBN29L02H |access-date=2021-01-16 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214082157/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-azar-idUSKBN29L02H |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Bruce Y.|title=HHS Secretary Alex Azar Submits 'Resignation Letter,' Effective January 20, Inauguration Day|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/01/16/hhs-secretary-alex-azar-submits-resignation-letter-effective-january-20-inauguration-day/|access-date=2021-01-16|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128001729/https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/01/16/hhs-secretary-alex-azar-submits-resignation-letter-effective-january-20-inauguration-day/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Alex Azar resigns as Health and Human Services Secretary, citing Capitol mob|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/alex-azar-resigns-health-human-services-secretary-citing-capitol-mob-n1254500|access-date=2021-01-16|website=NBC News|date=January 16, 2021 |language=en|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119100805/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/alex-azar-resigns-health-human-services-secretary-citing-capitol-mob-n1254500|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|author=Maggie Fox|title=HHS Secretary Alex Azar complains of tarnished legacy in resignation letter to Trump|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/alex-azar-resigns/index.html|access-date=2021-01-16|website=CNN|date=January 16, 2021 |archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116050955/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/alex-azar-resigns/index.html|url-status=live}}

In 2022, Azar was co-defendant in a civil rights suit in the Ninth Circuit Court seeking to compel the CDC to publish mortality statistics in which COVID-19 was unequivocally the primary cause of death.{{cite web | url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/oregon/ordce/3:2022cv00356/165733 | title=Ealy et al v. Redfield et al | access-date=September 20, 2022 | archive-date=September 20, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920220252/https://dockets.justia.com/docket/oregon/ordce/3:2022cv00356/165733 | url-status=live }}

Azar is an Antiochian Orthodox Christian and former Episcopalian.{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/115/chrg/CHRG-115shrg34341/CHRG-115shrg34341.htm |title=Senate Hearing 115-438 |date=January 9, 2018 |website=Congress.gov |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=April 23, 2020 |quote=Religious memberships: Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church. ... Saint John's Episcopal Church. ... Episcopal Church at Yale |archive-date=May 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521125429/https://www.congress.gov/115/chrg/CHRG-115shrg34341/CHRG-115shrg34341.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://hollowayfh.com/tribute/details/7853/Dr-Alex-Azar/obituary.html |title=Obituary of Dr. Alex Azar |author= |date=April 6, 2020 |website=Holloway Funeral Home |access-date=April 23, 2020 |quote=When he moved to Salisbury, he joined St. Peter's Episcopal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413092552/https://www.hollowayfh.com/tribute/details/7853/Dr-Alex-Azar/obituary.html |archive-date=2020-04-13 |df=mdy-all}} He is of Lebanese, Ukrainian, English, and Swiss descent.

Before his nomination, he lived in Indianapolis with his wife and two children.{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-alex-azar-trump-new-hhs-pick-709493 |title=Who is Alex Azar? Trump's New HHS Secretary Pick Lobbied for Big Pharma |first=Melina |last=Delkic |work=Newsweek |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622060030/http://www.newsweek.com/who-alex-azar-trump-new-hhs-pick-709493 |url-status=live }} Azar served for two years on the board of HMS Holdings.{{cite news|last1=Braun|first1=Stephen|title=Health secretary nominee reaped big earnings from drug industry tenure|url=https://www.statnews.com/2017/11/20/alex-azar-hhs-drug-industry/|access-date=January 24, 2018|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Stat News|date=November 20, 2017|archive-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402235727/https://www.statnews.com/2017/11/20/alex-azar-hhs-drug-industry/|url-status=live}} He is currently on the board of the American Council on Germany, where he is chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

He has previously served on the board of directors of the Healthcare Leadership Council, where he was treasurer; the National Association of Manufacturers; and the Indianapolis International Airport Authority, where he was chairman of the Human Resources Committee.

In 2020, Azar revealed he has celiac disease while discussing a U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule related to gluten-free labeling for fermented foods.{{Cite web|last=Commissioner|first=Office of the|date=2020-08-13|title=FDA Finalizes Rule Related to Gluten-Free Labeling for Foods Containing Fermented, Hydrolyzed Ingredients|url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-finalizes-rule-related-gluten-free-labeling-foods-containing-fermented-hydrolyzed-ingredients|access-date=2020-12-07|website=FDA|language=en|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221205225/https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-finalizes-rule-related-gluten-free-labeling-foods-containing-fermented-hydrolyzed-ingredients|url-status=live}}

Azar is a Republican and has contributed to the campaigns of Mike Pence, Mitch McConnell, Orrin Hatch, Lamar Alexander, Jeb Bush, and Donald Trump, according to OpenSecrets.

• List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Seat 1)
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