Hello John and Doves,

 

The U.S. government has made two major deals with drug companies after President Trump "sent letters to 17 drug companies in the summer, giving them 60 days to respond to his demands for lower prices - a deadline that expired this week."

 

Two companies responded - Pfizer and AstraZeneca.  They will lower prices for Medicaid drug prescriptions.

 

Also, there is a new website coming January 2026 - TrumpRX.com where consumers may be able to skip the middle man and buy their prescription drugs directly from the manufacturer.  Depends on if the manufacturer has signed up and what the drug is.

 

Pfizer Deal:

 

"The Trump administration has announced a deal allowing patients to buy prescriptions drugs at discounted prices via a new website operated by the federal government."

 

"The agreement with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will see prices from some medicines slashed by up to 85% on the direct-to-consumer TrumpRx site, the White House said in a press conference on Tuesday."

 

Pfizer will also lower drug prices for state-run Medicaid programs.  And Pfizer will invest $70 billion in US manufacturing, research and development.

 

This is in exchange for avoiding paying tariffs.  Pfizer receives a three-year grace period on the 100% tariff.

Pfizer to offer cheaper US drugs via Trump's website in new deal

 

AstraZeneca Deal:

"AstraZeneca on Friday became the second major pharmaceutical manufacturer to announce it had agreed to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid under a deal struck with the Trump administration that avoided its threats of steep tariffs."

 

"Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will charge most-favored nation pricing to Medicaid, while guaranteeing such pricing on newly launched drugs, Trump said.  That involves matching the lower price offered in other developed nations."

 

"For many years, Americans have paid the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, by far," Trump said, adding that the new deal may cut prices to "the lowest price anywhere in the world.  That's what we get."

 

Also, AstraZeneca will invest $50 billion in projects in the US by 2030.

AstraZeneca agrees to lower drug prices for Medicaid under Trump administration deal

These new prices are only for Medicaid.  Haven't read anything about Medicare drug prices dropping.

 

As of January 2025 there are 71.4 million people enrolled in Medicaid.

 

As of September 2024 there are 68 million people enrolled in Medicare.

 

There are 342 million people in the U.S.  So those on Medicaid and Medicare make up about 40% of the entire US population.  

 

TrumpRX:

 

"The primary stated goal is to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Americans by creating a new pathway for purchasing medications directly from manufacturers at discounted rates."  It is designed to be a 'search portal':  "Consumers can use the site to look up their prescription, if a drug is part of the program, they will be redirected to the pharmaceutical manufacture's own direct-to-consumer platform to complete the purchase.  This portal model keeps the government out of the complex logistics of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

 

TrumpRx: How the Drug Pricing Program Works | GovFacts

 

Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca will offer medications through the site....the site is "Coming Soon" in January 2026.

 

Americans pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs - the 'deal' should have been for everyone.  The Big Pharma Lobby has 3 lobbyists for every one person in the House and Senate.  Americans will never get fair drug prices with this going on.

 

Mark your calendars for January, 2026 - for the possibility of getting drugs at a lower price.

 

Blessings to all!

 

Chance