Trump to Sign Executive Order Aimed at Reducing Prescription Drug Prices

Trump to Sign Executive Order Aimed at Reducing Prescription Drug Prices

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he plans to sign an executive order on Monday aimed at reducing prescription drug prices, potentially cutting prices by up to 80%.

Key Details of the Executive Order

  • Most Favoured Nation Policy: The order will adopt a "Most Favoured Nation" policy, meaning the US will pay the same price for drugs as other countries worldwide.
  • Political Context: This announcement comes amid increasing pressure from both Democrats and some Republicans to address high drug costs, which is expected to be a significant focus in the 2024 presidential campaign.

Implementation and Legislative Concerns

  • The White House has not provided specific details on the changes or their implementation.
  • It remains unclear whether Congress will need to approve any changes or if the executive order can stand alone without legislative backing.

Pharmaceutical Industry Response

  • Pharmaceutical companies argue that they cannot lower prices due to high research and development costs, which can reach billions for new treatments.
  • They also point out that many countries have price controls that limit drug prices.

Expert Opinions

  • Many experts believe there are ways for companies to lower prices without compromising quality or innovation.
  • Suggestions include:
    • Allowing Medicare and other government programs (like Medicaid and Veterans Affairs) to negotiate drug prices, which could lead to quicker cost reductions than an executive order alone.
    • Proposals to allow imports of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada or other countries where prices are lower due to better negotiation deals with pharmaceutical companies.

Previous Efforts and Current Developments

  • Trump has previously called for importing cheaper prescription drugs but has not fulfilled this promise despite repeated commitments during his presidency.
  • A senior administration official indicated that Trump decided against including import language in the executive order after concerns were raised about potential safety risks associated with imported medicines.
  • It is uncertain whether Congress will attempt to address drug pricing again this year, following last year’s failure to pass legislation that aimed to lower out-of-pocket expenses for seniors while maintaining the prohibition on Medicare negotiating directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers.
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