AstraZeneca makes deal with White House to lower drug prices

"AstraZeneca became the second drugmaker to enter a deal with the Trump administration to offer lower prices to Medicaid and to offer some of its drugs at a discount through TrumpRx, a government website to facilitate sales directly to consumers. "In other words the lowest price anywhere in the world, that's what we're going to get," President Trump said during an Oval Office press conference Friday."

"The centerpiece of the deal is most-favored-nation pricing for drugs sold to Medicaid. That would link Medicaid prices to the lower ones paid in other developed countries. As part of the deal, AstraZeneca will also offer discounts of up to 80% off list prices on direct sales to consumers, according to a company statement. Its drugs include inhalers like Bevespi Aerosphere for people with COPD and Airsupra for people with asthma."

"The White House unveiled its plan for TrumpRx and a similar deal with Pfizer on Sept. 30. The website will help patients access drugs at lower prices bypassing health insurance. TrumpRx is part of a broader initiative the administration says is aimed at bringing prices paid by Americans more in line with those paid in other developed countries. The announcement follows an executive order in May, and letters to 17 pharmaceutical companies sent out over the summer to push them to lower prices voluntarily."

AstraZeneca became the second drugmaker to agree to offer lower prices to Medicaid and to provide some medicines at discounts through TrumpRx. The deal's centerpiece is most-favored-nation pricing linking Medicaid prices to lower prices paid in other developed countries. AstraZeneca will offer up to 80% off list prices on direct-to-consumer sales and plans to expand manufacturing and research in the United States. In return, the company will receive a three-year exemption from certain tariffs. The TrumpRx website, expected in 2026, will route consumers to manufacturers' direct-to-consumer sites. The impact on consumers and Medicaid costs remains uncertain.

Read at www.npr.org