On Friday, President Donald Trump is set to unveil a significant agreement with the multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca aimed at lowering drug prices in the United States. This announcement will take place in the afternoon from the Oval Office, according to an official from the White House.
The deal features a “most-favored-nation” drug pricing model designed to make prescriptions more affordable, particularly for low-income Americans, including those on Medicaid. Access to these discounted prices will be facilitated through a new federal government website, TrumpRx.gov, the official informed MSNBC. While the White House press office has not provided an official comment on the matter, the implications of this agreement are significant.
AstraZeneca, headquartered in the U.K., has pledged to invest $50 billion in its drug manufacturing and research and development initiatives within the United States. This investment marks a notable commitment to enhancing the U.S. pharmaceutical landscape. The CEO of AstraZeneca, Pascal Soriot, is expected to meet with Trump on Friday afternoon and will be present during the Oval Office announcement.
This agreement with AstraZeneca follows a recent similar arrangement between the Trump administration and New York-based rival Pfizer, which announced discounted drug prices directly to consumers last month. During the Pfizer announcement, Trump hinted that more such deals with other pharmaceutical companies were forthcoming.
In May, Trump revived the “most-favored-nation” policy through an executive order, a move the White House claims will significantly reduce drug prices and align them more closely with those paid in other developed nations. However, Trump's initial attempt to implement this policy during his first term faced strong opposition from the pharmaceutical industry. A federal judge ultimately blocked that initiative, citing that the administration did not adhere to proper regulatory procedures.
The TrumpRx website, which is intended to allow AstraZeneca and Pfizer to sell their drugs at discounted prices directly to consumers, is not expected to go live until 2026, as stated by another senior administration official. This timeline raises questions about the immediate impact of the agreement on drug pricing in the United States.
The upcoming announcement by President Trump is poised to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing discussion around pharmaceutical pricing and access to medication for Americans, particularly those in need.
