In a significant move for American healthcare, the Trump administration has declared that Medicare will pay lower prices for 15 prescription medications, a list that includes popular weight-loss treatments and vital cancer drugs.
Substantial Savings for Medicare
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency revealed that the new maximum fair prices for these drugs are projected to save the government approximately $12 billion on Medicare spending when compared to the previous year.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated in a news release, "President Trump directed us to stop at nothing to lower health care costs for the American people." He added, "As we work to Make America Healthy Again, we will use every tool at our disposal to deliver affordable health care to seniors."
Implementation and Expanded Negotiations
These new, lower prices are scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027. This development will bring the total number of medications with federally negotiated prices to 25, as it builds upon the 10 drugs that were previously announced by the administration of former President Joe Biden last year.
CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz commented on the outcome, saying, "This year’s results stand in stark contrast to last year’s. Using the same process with a bolder direction, we have achieved substantially better outcomes for taxpayers."
List of Drugs with Reduced Prices
The selection of drugs included in this price negotiation programme is notable for its focus on high-cost, high-demand medications. Among them are:
- Weight-loss drugs: Ozempic and Wegovy
- Cancer drugs: Xtandi, Pomalyst, Ibrance
- Other medications: Trelegy Ellipta, Ofev, Linzess, Calquence, Austedo, Austedo XR, Breo Ellipta, Tradjenta, Xifaxan, Vraylar, Janumet, Janumet XR, and Otezla.
This policy marks a continued effort by the federal government to exert pressure on pharmaceutical pricing, with the aim of reducing the financial burden on both public health systems and patients.
