Daniel Best, a former pharmaceutical executive in charge of efforts to lower prescription drug prices for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), died on November 1.  Now, his death has been ruled a "suicide" despite the fact that the Washington D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner noted that he died of "multiple blunt force injuries."

Cleveland.com reports:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Nov. 1 death of Daniel Best , a pharmaceutical executive from Bay Village who led U.S. Department of Health and Human Services efforts to lower prescription drug prices, has been ruled a suicide, officials in Washington, D.C.,

Police say Best was found "unresponsive" near the garage door exit of an apartment building in Washington, D.C.'s Navy Yard neighborhood at 5:25 a.m. on Nov. 1, and was pronounced dead by medical personnel who responded to the scene.

The city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Thursday said Best died from "multiple blunt force injuries" and it ruled his death a suicide. It would not release further information.

In announcing his death, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said the 49-year-old former CVSHealth and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals executive agreed to work at HHS "out of a desire to serve the American people by making health care more affordable."

"He's got a real nice personality," said former MemberHealth colleague Chuck Spinelli. "He's not a jerk, he's not overbearing. He's approachable, and pharma liked him. They appreciated working with him. He was very transparent. He was very honest. He didn't play any games."

Best, who grew up in Erie Pennsylvania, is survived by his wife Lisa and three children.

Tyler Durden added:

A drug industry insider, Best worked for over a decade as an executive for several companies, including 12 years at Pfizer, Universal American, MemberHealth and CVS Caremark Corporation, where he made just over $500,000 per year negotiating drug prices for seniors.

His March appointment drew the ire of President Trump's opponents, who accused his administration of becoming too close with the drug industry. Best was advising Azar – a former pharma executive and lobbyist, on drug pricing.

"He brought his deep expertise and passion to this task with great humility and collegiality," said Azar in a statement following Best's death. "All of us who served with Dan at HHS and in the administration mourn his passing and extend our thoughts and prayers to his wife Lisa and the entire Best family at this difficult time."