Nonetheless, Novo’s presence looms large over discussions on a major overhaul of European laws for the pharmaceutical industry — because of the ferocious loyalty Denmark and its lawmakers show to Novo in Brussels.
The country is the most vocal supporter of the pharma industry in the EU, where countries are currently negotiating their position on the legislative reform. One European Parliament official said that Novo is practically “in the room” during these talks, such is the extent Denmark mirrors the pharma position.
Assistants for Danish members of the European Parliament had tried to insert amendments into the Parliament’s text to make it more favorable to the industry, the official said, adding that the company’s lobbyists would be “welcoming the new MEPs off the train in Strasbourg,” the seat of the Parliament.
Nevertheless, those who have met Jørgensen in such a capacity say he is thoughtful and respectful. “Polite and quiet, like he had a genuine interest in what his staff and I were saying rather than in hearing himself talk,” said another Parliament official. “He appeared very knowledgable.”
That’s a very Danish approach to leadership, pointed out Sørensen. “We like to be fact-based. We like to be honest. We like to be trustworthy,” he said.
It’s a style that will surely go down well with the U.S. president, who calls himself “perhaps the most honest human being” God ever created. Right?
This article has been updated to clarify the effect of GLP-1s on weight.