President Trump on Tuesday announced a transaction with Pfizer for the sale of his medicines directly to consumers at safety prices. They will be available through the website controlled by the federal government.
And Martinez, presenter:
President Trump says that he fulfills his promise to reduce drug prices for Americans. On Tuesday, he announced a deal with Pfizer, and also announced the new state web name called Trumprx. NPR Pharmaceuticals Sydney Lupin correspondent follows this. Hey Sydney. So what about this deal?
Sydney Lupkin, Byline: The most spraying part includes Pfizer, which sells its medicines, such as Xeljanz for rheumatoid arthritis, directly to consumers at a discount. Consumers can access transactions through a website, controlled by the federal government called Trumprx. Trump said to attract drug prices in accordance with the fact that other developed countries pay and force these other countries to pay what he calls his fair share. Here is Trump for a press conference.
(Sound ghost of archival recording)
President Donald Trump: The United States is ready to subsidize the health care of the rest of the world. This is a big thing. This is – I cannot tell you how great it is.
Lupkin: The transaction also includes discounts for Medicaid and the promise of Pfizer to sell new drugs at the same price in the United States as in other developed countries. Trump says similar transactions with other drug manufacturers are in work.
Martinez: How did President Trump forced drug producers to come to the table?
Lupkin: Yes. This began with the order in May in May about what the president calls the most preferable prices for drugs of the nation. This connects us prices with those who are in another place. During the summer, he raised a bet with letters of 17 drug producers who gave them 60 days to come up with plans, and then entered closed negotiations. During the press conference, the Minister of Health Robert F. Kennedy, the youngest, told reporters that negotiations were held late until night. By the way, the general director of Pfizer, Albert Burl, was also at a press conference. He said that this deal occurred with a three -year preferential period from certain tariffs, and added that the tariffs were, quote, “the most powerful tool for motivating behavior.” Therefore, it is clear that their threat played a role here, although many details of the transaction are not public.
Martinez: approx. But what will this mean for consumers?
Lupkin: You know, many of them probably will not notice the difference. Here is AMEET SARPATWARI, drug addict at Harvard Medical School.
Ameet Sarpatwari: I think this is more than the reforms of the transformation that are necessary in order to really ensure relief for Americans fighting high prices.
Lupkin: For example, the beneficiads already pay very little or nothing for drugs in Medicaid, and it is not yet clear how much money part of the Medicaid transaction will save taxpayers. As for Trumprx, direct prices for consumers mean that consumers do not use their medical insurance. Thus, although on average prices can fall by 50% through Trumprx, this is still 50% of the large number, and this can still be inaccessible. Insurance surcharges can be cheaper. But if someone needs a drug that is not covered with insurance, and it is offered on Trumprx, this may be an option.
Martinez: Good. So, when should Trumprx start?
Lupkin: Yes. It is assumed that the Trumprx.gov website will be launched in early 2026, and the new Medicaid prices should enter into force at about the same time. As for the promise to launch new drugs at the same price in the United States as abroad, this is a constant process. In fact, some other companies have already said that they would do it. For example, Bristol Myers Squibb says that his new Schizophrenia drug will be sold at the same price in the UK as here, but this will not save American patients.
Martinez: NPR Pharmaceuticals correspondent Sidney Lupkin. Thank you very much.
Lupkin: We argue.
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