Trump administration confirms drug price talks, seeks program input
TL/DR –
The Trump administration is planning to negotiate Medicare prices for 15 drugs under the Inflation Reduction Act and is seeking suggestions on how to improve the program. This decision comes despite some confusion around President Trump’s drug pricing policies, following his cancellation of a Biden administration initiative to explore ways to decrease pharmaceutical costs within Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to hold various negotiation meetings with affected drug manufacturers along with 15 patient-focused roundtable events.
The Trump Administration Plans to Continue Medicare Price Negotiations
Under the Trump administration, the next 15 drugs will have their Medicare prices negotiated as per the Inflation Reduction Act. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced this decision on Wednesday. The administration also intends to seek input on ways to improve the program for optimizing healthcare costs.
Clarifying The Healthcare Priorities of the Trump Administration
There has been some uncertainty about the drug pricing priorities of the new administration. On Inauguration Day, President Trump rescinded a Biden administration initiative that directed the health secretary to investigate means for reducing pharmaceutical costs within Medicare. While aspects of this initiative are still active, the future of White House drug pricing plans remains unclear.
Commitment to Lowering Drug Costs
“CMS is committed to lowering prescription drug costs for Americans,” said a statement released on Wednesday. CMS also plans to provide opportunities for stakeholders to offer specific ideas for the betterment of the negotiation program.
Continuation of Established Negotiation Processes
Under the process established by CMS, Medicare will conduct several negotiation meetings and host 15 patient-focused roundtable events. The Biden administration had also planned a clinically oriented town hall meeting.
Selection of Drugs for Negotiation
The 15 drugs selected for negotiation include semaglutide, Ibrance and Xtandi cancer treatments, and asthma medication Trelegy Ellipta. This selection follows a round of negotiations on 10 other drugs, the results of which were revealed in August.
Pharma Companies Seek Pause on Program
Trump and his allies have expressed intentions to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act that enabled Medicare to negotiate drug prices. However, the future handling of the drug pricing provisions in the 2022 law remains uncertain. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are reportedly urging a pause to the program.
Medicare covers 68 million people who are 65 and older as well as younger individuals with certain disabilities.
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