Washington (BN24) – President Donald Trump announced the upcoming launch of a new federal website called TrumpRx, a direct-to-consumer platform that will allow Americans to purchase prescription drugs at discounted rates. The announcement came Tuesday, September 30, as part of a broader agreement reached between the White House and Pfizer, the first pharmaceutical company to commit to lowering drug prices under Trump’s push for most-favored-nation pricing.
Trump said the new initiative will make prescription medications more affordable by allowing patients, particularly those in Medicaid, to buy medicines directly online from the government without relying on foreign alternatives. “It increases transparency; in many instances, prices are 80% lower than they are today,” said Chris Klomp, Medicare Director and Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
According to the White House, “virtually all drugs” will be available on TrumpRx, including Pfizer treatments such as Eucrisa, Duavee, Zavzpret and Xeljanz. Pfizer pledged to cut the prices of most of its primary care drugs by an average of 50% and up to 85% in some cases. For example, Duavee, a menopause drug that typically costs more than $200 for 30 tablets, will be priced around $30.
TrumpRx is expected to launch in early 2026 and will be operated by the federal government. Trump said the site will not only reduce costs for low-income Americans covered by Medicaid but will also serve the uninsured. He emphasized that future agreements with other drugmakers will expand access and create a competitive market for prescription drugs in the U.S.
Still, health policy experts have raised doubts about the program’s reach. Stacie Dusetzina, a professor at Vanderbilt University, said the site is “not going to help the average person,” particularly those who obtain their medications through employer-based insurance or Medicare. “This is good PR for drug companies, but it won’t address the broader issue of tariffs, which could drive prices up for consumers,” she said.
Drew Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, echoed that concern, noting that the Trump-Pfizer deal is limited to a single company and does not address the broader industry. He added that the rollout comes as the Trump administration continues to push for 100% tariffs on pharmaceuticals made overseas, which could reshape the market.
The deal also secured Pfizer a three-year grace period on those tariffs, provided it increases domestic manufacturing and invests in U.S.-based production. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla confirmed the company will commit billions in investment over the next three years to meet the administration’s conditions.
Despite the skepticism, Trump hailed the initiative as a major step in reshaping the pharmaceutical industry. “The United States is done subsidizing healthcare for the rest of the world,” he said, pledging more agreements with other companies in the coming months.
Source: Reuters
