Pfizer to lower some drug prices as White House builds “TrumpRx” website

Pfizer to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs through TrumpRx Website

In a groundbreaking move, Pfizer has agreed to provide significantly discounted prices for select prescription medications for all American consumers. This initiative, announced by President Trump in Washington, includes offering prescription drugs to Medicaid at lower prices as well. These discounted drugs will be accessible for purchase online through a website operated by the federal government, which will be known as “TrumpRx.”

During the announcement in the Oval Office, President Trump expressed his excitement over Pfizer’s commitment to offering a wide range of prescription medications at major discounts in the United States. This decision comes as a result of the “most favored nation” drug pricing order established earlier in the year. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, present at the announcement, cited the president’s threat of imposing 100% tariffs on drugs manufactured outside the U.S. as a key factor that motivated the company to take swift action. As a result, Pfizer’s drug prices are set to decrease immediately, with potential reductions ranging from 50% to 100%.

The president emphasized that these price cuts would lead to substantial savings for American consumers and taxpayers, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. He criticized the existing scenario where Americans have been shouldering high drug prices, subsidizing research and development costs for the global pharmaceutical industry. Moving forward, all new medications introduced by Pfizer in the U.S. market will be sold at the reduced “most favored nation” cost, aligning with prices seen in other countries.

While specific drug prices have not been released by Pfizer or the White House, health policy experts caution that the impact for consumers may vary. Darius Lakdawalla, from the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center, pointed out that Medicaid already benefits from lower drug prices compared to the national average. Juliette Cubanski, from KFF, highlighted that the direct impact of the announced price reductions on Medicaid patients, who typically pay minimal out-of-pocket expenses for drugs, remains uncertain.

Sean Sullivan, a health economist at the University of Washington, viewed the direct-to-patient approach as a branding opportunity for Trump, noting that most patients have drug coverage. Bourla described the agreement with Pfizer as historic, emphasizing the reversal of an unfair situation where Americans bore disproportionate costs due to other nations’ reluctance to pay their fair share for medical innovation.

The Pfizer agreement is part of the White House’s initiative to secure “most favored nation” pricing with pharmaceutical manufacturers. President Trump’s executive order in May called on drugmakers to lower their prices to match those in high-income countries, threatening steep caps on Medicare earnings for non-compliance. The administration aims to bring down drug costs, given the U.S.’s significant contribution to global pharmaceutical profits.

The announcement follows the president’s recent decision to impose a 100% tariff on branded or patented pharmaceutical products unless companies establish manufacturing plants in the U.S. Pfizer’s agreement to move production of medicines used in America to the U.S. aligns with this strategy, motivated by the impending tariffs. Dr. Mehmet Oz, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, hinted at forthcoming agreements by pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices, with more details expected in the fall.

While the “TrumpRx” website launch is anticipated in early 2026, its specifics are yet to be revealed. The announcement coincides with ongoing disagreements between Democrats and the administration over healthcare costs and government funding. Democrats advocate for extending the Affordable Care Act to prevent premium hikes, criticizing the administration for not doing enough to lower healthcare prices.

In conclusion, Pfizer’s commitment to discounted drug prices marks a significant step towards making medications more affordable for American consumers. The collaboration with the federal government through the TrumpRx website is poised to revolutionize access to prescription drugs and drive down healthcare costs. As the initiative unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor its impact on patients, healthcare providers, and the pharmaceutical industry as a whole.

Dr. Céline Gounder contributed to this report.

Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.