The Trump administration is exploring the creation of a government-run website to sell prescription medicines at discounted rates directly to consumers. One proposed name for the platform is TrumpRx. According to Bloomberg, the idea is still in the discussion phase and no final decision has been made yet. The concept would allow patients to search for specific medicines and connect with platforms that sell them. It is unclear exactly how much savings this would offer to consumers.
What’s the proposal?
Officials have discussed creating a Trump-branded platform, TrumpRx. The initiative is part of Trump’s broader demand for drugmakers to align US prices with what other developed countries pay.
Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said, “Any reporting on internal deliberations is pure speculation until an official announcement is made by us,” while emphasising the administration’s focus on lowering drug costs.
A spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told Bloomberg, the agency does not comment on internal deliberations. “CMS is committed to carrying out President Trump’s directive to lower prescription drug prices by ensuring Americans can access medications at fairer, more transparent prices and holding the pharmaceutical industry accountable,” the spokesperson said.
How will the discounts work, if they come into effect?
Patients could potentially buy medicines directly from pharmaceutical companies without going to pharmacies. Some drugmakers, including Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, already offer direct-to-consumer sales in the US, though even with discounts, drugs like GLP-1 weight-loss injections remain far more expensive than in other countries. For example, Lilly offers discounted weight-loss drugs via telehealth consultations, while Pfizer and Bristol have launched platforms for their blood thinner Eliquis after discussions with the White House.
The discussions on TrumpRx are expected to continue until Trump’s September 29 deadline for drugmakers to comply with demands to lower prices on several common medicines.
Potential impact on businesses
A government-run online pharmacy could change the market game, directly competing with big pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS. It could also impact smaller, independent pharmacies as well as tech and retail giants like Amazon, which launched a low-cost pharmacy in 2020, and Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs Co.
Trump’s push for lower drug prices
Lowering prescription drug costs has been a key priority for Trump in recent months. In July, he sent letters to 17 major drugmakers in the country demanding they reduce Medicaid prices or risk unspecified penalties, as per Bloomberg.
The administration has also threatened to impose strict guidelines on advertising rules for pharmaceutical products. Trump had even threatened tariffs of up to 250% on drug imports to incentivise US-based production. Some companies are already against these demands.
The news of a possible government-run drug website comes alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claim that Tylenol may cause autism. Shares of Tylenol maker Kenvue fell 6% in midday trading ahead of the announcement. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s claims without proof have drawn criticism from numerous researchers.