Khaberni - Pharmaceutical companies have agreed to lower the prices of 15 drugs in the United States healthcare program (Medicare) after months of negotiations, which are expected to save billions for taxpayers and the elderly, according to the administration of President Donald Trump.
However, the net prices revealed by the supply data covering 30 days for each drug under this program are not what the beneficiaries will actually pay, as their payments will depend on the nature of each individual's subscription and their prescription spending in a given year.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy praised these agreements as part of the administration's efforts to address Americans' concerns about healthcare affordability.
It is noted that the drug pricing negotiation program under Medicare, which facilitated these agreements, is legally binding and was started during the administration of former President Joe Biden.
Kennedy said in a statement: "President Trump directed us not to hesitate in anything to lower the healthcare costs for the American people." He added: "As we work on restoring health in America, we will use everything in our power to provide affordable healthcare for the elderly."
This announcement marks the end of a second round of negotiations under a law enacted in 2022, allowing the Medicare healthcare program to negotiate the prices it pays for the most popular and expensive prescribed drugs used by elderly Americans, bringing the total number of drugs under negotiation to 25. The new round of negotiated prices will take effect in 2027. Meanwhile, the reduced prices from the inaugural round of 10 drugs, which were negotiated by the Biden administration last year, will take effect next January.
