The Trump administration is promoting a new drug program it says will will reduce costs for Americans: TrumpRx.
The initiative offers American consumers a method to buy prescription medicines at a lower cost with cash, instead of via insurance, according to the TrumpRx website.
“America was being overcharged for medicine. The same drugs, made in the same factories, at the same dosages, are costing Americans up to 1000% more than in any other country. This is unacceptable,” the Trumprx website claims.
President Donald Trump announced the rollout of the program at a White House event Thursday, Feb. 5, alongside Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Design Studio Director Joe Gebbia, USA TODAY reported.
“This is a very big deal,” Trump said Feb. 5 during the White House event. “People are going to save a lot of money and be healthy.”
Here’s what to know about TrumpRx.
What is TrumpRx?
TrumpRx is a program by the Trump administration to provide American consumers with cheaper options to purchase prescription medicines, the TrumpRx website says.
“TrumpRx is a website that lists discounted drug prices from manufacturers that have agreed to Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing,” the website adds. “Americans can use TrumpRx to purchase drugs in cash (outside of their insurance). These drugs can be obtained at participating pharmacies using coupon cards displayed on TrumpRx or directly through manufacturers’ websites.”
Not all drugs are currently available at TrumpRx but many more are coming soon, the website promises.
What are the discounts on medicines?
The program says it includes discounts on more than 40 medications, including fertility, insulin and weight loss drugs, USA TODAY reported.
The website highlights a drug called Gonal-F in a 450IU pen. The site says Americans pay $1,449 per pen while Canadians pay $355. The site says with the “most favored nation” price, Americans will pay just $252 per pen.
The site also includes prices for such medications as Wegoby, Ozempic and others showing steep reductions in prices.
How can you use TrumpRx?
Medication is available for cash purchase through TrumpRx via the manufacturers’ websites or with a coupon at your local pharmacy, the TrumpRx website says.
Some drugs are available through coupon offers displayed on TrumpRx, the website explains. Coupon programs can be used at local pharmacies on a nationwide basis, with the exception of certain specialty drugs. Other drugs are only available at discounted prices through the manufacturer’s website.
TrumpRx discounted pricing is only available for cash-paying patients, the website says.
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump launches drug discount program. What does TrumpRx do?
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
