Trump Strikes New Drug Pricing Deals with Nine Midsized Drugmakers President Donald Trump announced new drug pricing agreements with nine pharmaceutical companies, marking a significant expansion of his administration’s efforts to align U.S. drug prices with lower international rates. The deals, part of a broader "most favored nation" policy, aim to reduce healthcare costs for American patients by linking domestic prices to those in other countries. The companies involved include Alcon, Astellas Pharma, BeOne Medicines, BridgeBio, CSL, Kyowa Kirin, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and UCB. These agreements follow previous deals with 17 other firms, bringing the total number of companies under the policy to 26, which the administration claims represents 90% of the domestic pharmaceutical market. Under the new agreements, the nine companies agreed to provide discounts on outpatient medications to all state Medicaid programs, ensuring prices align with international rates. The deals impact drugs used to treat chronic and rare conditions, including hemophilia, liver disease, skin disorders, and certain cancers. Additionally, the companies committed to investing at least $19.6 billion collectively in U.S. manufacturing over the near term, a move intended to bolster domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. Several companies also pledged to donate active pharmaceutical ingredients to the federal government’s strategic reserve. For instance, UCB agreed to contribute 163 tons of levetiracetam, an anticonvulsant used to manage seizures. These donations aim to enhance the U.S.’s preparedness for emergencies and reduce dependence on global suppliers.#president_donald_trump #alcon #astellas_pharma #beone_medicines #bridgebio
