FDA commissioner praises Trump‑Pfizer drug‑pricing deal; 'TrumpRx' discount site to roll out next year
The White House and Pfizer announced a deal to offer discounted direct‑to‑consumer drug purchases through a "TrumpRx" website expected to roll out next year, with Pfizer saying portal prices will be about 50% lower on average and citing examples and larger savings claims (Duavee $203→$30; Xeljanz ~$6,000→$3,600; some drugs up to 85%). FDA Commissioner Marty Makary called the arrangement “a major, major step,” while officials said discounts would apply to patients buying outside insurance and that some medicines could be offered at “most‑favored nation” prices — though specific terms remain confidential and experts warned insured patients may see limited benefit.
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🔍 Key Facts
- The White House announced a federal website, TrumpRx.gov, to route consumers to discounted direct‑to‑consumer drug purchases; officials say the portal is expected to roll out in 2026 (reported as "next year").
- Pfizer told reporters its direct‑to‑consumer prices on the TrumpRx portal will be "50% lower on average," and the company has made broader claims of savings up to 85% on certain medications; specific terms of the agreement remain confidential.
- Pfizer cited concrete examples of price cuts for the portal: Duavee reportedly dropping from $203/month to $30/month, and Xeljanz from roughly $6,000/month to about $3,600/month.
- The administration and the president said some medications will be sold at a "most‑favored nation" cost under the Pfizer deal, and the president claimed some drug prices could fall by 50%–100%; officials also said Pfizer committed to offer medications to Medicaid at most‑favored nation prices.
- Administration officials said the discounts would be available to patients not using insurance and that the TrumpRx site would direct orders to pharmaceutical companies' own direct‑to‑consumer fulfillment sites.
- FDA Commissioner Marty Makary publicly endorsed the Trump‑Pfizer arrangement, calling it "a major, major step," at an Oval Office briefing attended by CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.
- Independent experts (including Ameet Sarpatwari of Harvard) cautioned the plan may be underwhelming for average insured consumers and noted that Medicaid already pays very low prices for many drugs.
📍 Contextual Background
- Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and for premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.
📰 Sources (6)
FDA head says TrumpRx is a "major step" toward making medications affordable
New information:
- Direct on‑the‑record quote from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary calling the TrumpRx–Pfizer agreement a 'major, major step'.
- Concrete price examples provided by Pfizer and cited in the article: Duavee reported to drop from $203/month to $30/month on TrumpRx; Xeljanz from ~$6,000/month to about $3,600/month.
- Pfizer’s broad savings claim (up to 85% on certain medications) and administration statement that Pfizer committed to offer medications to Medicaid at 'most‑favored nations' prices.
FDA head says Trump-Pfizer deal to lower prescription drug costs is "major step"
New information:
- FDA Commissioner Marty Makary publicly characterized the Trump‑Pfizer arrangement as 'a major step.'
- CBS reports the administration plans a 'TrumpRx' website that will offer discounted prescription drugs and is expected to roll out next year.
- The CBS segment includes an on‑camera interview conducted by reporter Nikki Battiste with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary endorsing the move.
What happens now that the government has shut down. And, a pricing deal with Pfizer
New information:
- NPR references a new pricing deal with Pfizer as part of the broader White House announcements tied to drug‑pricing initiatives (reported alongside the shutdown coverage).
President announces TrumpRx website for drugs, and pricing deal with Pfizer
New information:
- White House announced a federal website, TrumpRx.gov, to route consumers to discounted direct‑to‑consumer drug purchases; site to launch in 2026.
- Pfizer told reporters its direct‑to‑consumer prices on the portal will be '50% lower on average' per a company press release; specific terms of the agreement remain confidential.
- Administration officials said the discounts would be available to patients not using insurance and the website would direct orders to pharmaceutical companies' own direct‑to‑consumer fulfillment sites.
- Named officials present at the Oval Office briefing: CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, FDA Commissioner Martin Makary, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.
- Reporting includes expert reaction (Ameet Sarpatwari, Harvard) cautioning the plan may be underwhelming for average insured consumers and explaining Medicaid already pays low prices.
Trump says some medications will be sold at reduced "most-favored nation cost" in Pfizer deal
New information:
- President Trump said some medications will be sold at a 'most‑favored nation cost' under a deal with Pfizer.
- The president claimed some drug prices could fall by 50%–100%.