US HHS Asst Sec quits, will run Wal-Mart pharmacies

The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, has expressed his regret at the departure from the Department of John Agwunobi, who held the rank of Assistant Secretary of Health. Mr Agwunobi leaves to take charge of global retail giant Wal-Mart's pharmacies, vision centers and health clinics, according to the CQ HealthBeat.

The outgoing official was credited with preparations for a potential avian influenza outbreak in the USA and promoting healthy lifestyles. The move means that both the Surgeon General and Mr Agwunobi's post may remain unfilled for the duration of President George W Bush's term of office, which ends in January 2009. Also vacant, but awaiting Senate approval, is the position of Administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS; Marketletters passim).

Wal-Mart's pharmacies have triggered a price war for generic prescription drugs in the USA, with a $4 per month fee for over 300 medicines (Marketletters passim).