President Trump officially launches prescription drug website “TrumpRx”
President Donald Trump has officially launched TrumpRx, a new government website aimed at helping Americans buy medicines more cheaply.
President Donald Trump on Monday, May 18, announced a major expansion of TrumpRx.gov, a government website that lists discounted prescription drugs negotiated by the Trump administration, according to White House officials.
President Trump announced that more than 600 generic drugs have been added to the direct-to-consumer website as part of his administration’s efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. The government website will refer people to private online pharmacies and drug pricing websites such as Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs, Amazon Pharmacy, and GoodRx.
TrumpRx, launched in January, is a key pillar of President Trump’s efforts to lower prescription drug costs for Americans. The Trump administration has negotiated most-favored-nation agreements with 17 major drug companies aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs to levels seen in other developed countries.
Prior to Monday’s announcement to add generic drugs, the website listed only branded drugs from these 17 companies.
“(Prices) went from high to low,” Trump said. “This is probably the biggest thing to happen to medicine, other than the cure itself.”
President Trump has repeatedly touted efforts to make prescription drugs cheaper for Americans, but brand-name drug prices on the TrumpRx website list generic drug equivalents that can be purchased elsewhere, often at lower prices.
TrumpRx directs cash-paying consumers to coupons that can be redeemed on drug company websites and pharmacies. The site does not process insurance claims, and most people use their health insurance plan’s drug benefit when filling prescriptions.
About 6 in 10 Americans said they were worried about being able to cover the cost of prescription drugs, according to a March survey by KFF, a nonpartisan health policy nonprofit. Four in 10 people said they saved money by skipping doses, not filling prescriptions, and taking other cost-cutting measures.
The TrumpRx website has added several price transparency tools for consumers. A new website feature will allow consumers to compare prices at nearby chain and independent pharmacies. Consumers will also be able to have some medicines delivered to their homes.
Cuban, a billionaire entrepreneur who has championed price transparency in health care, praised TrumpRx’s efforts to lower drug prices. He said 559 of the generic drugs listed on the government’s website will be made by Cost Plus Drugs.
Mr. Cuban predicted that prices would fall further as more people were referred to Cost Plus Drugs through the government’s website.
“Republicans want cheaper drugs. Independents want cheaper drugs. Democrats want cheaper drugs,” Cuban said. “I’m thinking of doing something special.”
