Pharmaceutical companies are racing against the clock to meet the looming deadline set by the Trump administration to lower U.S. drug prices. With the deadline just around the corner, companies are making last-minute announcements in an effort to comply with the president’s demands.
In July, President Trump sent letters to 17 major pharmaceutical companies, urging them to take action to align U.S. drug prices with those paid by other countries. The president’s “most-favored nations” policy aims to ensure that Americans are not overpaying for prescription medications.
One of the key demands outlined in the letters is the implementation of direct-to-consumer models for prescription drugs. This approach, which bypasses insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, has garnered the most enthusiasm from pharmaceutical companies. Both AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb recently unveiled new direct-to-consumer offerings, signaling their commitment to meeting the administration’s expectations.
However, simply adopting direct-to-consumer models may not be enough to satisfy President Trump’s demands. A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, emphasized that drug companies must also lower prices to match those paid by other countries. While the administration welcomes the shift towards direct-to-consumer sales, the ultimate goal is to ensure that Americans have access to affordable medications.
As the deadline approaches, pharmaceutical companies are under pressure to demonstrate their commitment to lowering drug prices in the U.S. Whether these last-minute initiatives will meet the president’s expectations remains to be seen. Stay tuned for updates as the industry navigates this critical moment in healthcare policy.
