The Trump administration is exploring the creation of a prescription drug direct-sales platform designed to help patients purchase discounted medications directly from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
According to media reports on September 19, U.S. government officials are discussing the development of a website potentially named after President Trump that would make it easier for patients to buy discounted prescription drugs directly from pharmaceutical companies. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that "TrumpRx" is among the brand names under consideration.
The website would serve as a connecting bridge between patients and drug sales platforms, allowing users to search for specific medications and access relevant purchasing channels. The initiative aims to enable direct drug sales while bypassing traditional pharmacy channels.
A spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services stated that the agency is committed to executing President Trump's directive to reduce prescription drug prices, ensuring Americans can access medications at fairer and more transparent prices. However, the plan has not been finalized, and discussions remain ongoing.
**Pharmaceutical Giants Actively Embrace Direct-Sales Model**
According to reports, Trump sent letters to 17 major global pharmaceutical companies in July.
The letters demanded that pharmaceutical companies immediately reduce prices for existing drugs under the U.S. federal Medicaid program and ensure that pricing for future new drugs remains consistent with overseas market levels, or face penalties.
Another key requirement in Trump's correspondence was for companies to create platforms that would sell popular drugs receiving substantial insurance discounts directly to patients or businesses. The proposed "TrumpRx" website represents a specific solution to fulfill this requirement.
Notably, this "direct-to-consumer" (DTC) model has received positive responses from several major pharmaceutical companies.
Eli Lilly pioneered this innovative approach, allowing patients to obtain cheaper weight-loss medications after consulting with doctors through telemedicine platforms. Following discussions with the White House this year, Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb launched new direct-to-consumer platforms for their blood thinner Eliquis.
Direct-sales programs enable patients to bypass pharmacy benefit management organizations, which pharmaceutical companies believe reduce their revenues and impact patient medication accessibility.
**Multi-Pronged Drug Price Control Strategy**
As part of a series of policies aimed at reshaping the pharmaceutical market, the U.S. government has also implemented other regulatory measures.
For instance, the government announced stricter enforcement of regulations targeting drug advertisements on television and social media, attempting to curb marketing behaviors that could drive up demand.
Additionally, to pressure companies to relocate more production lines to the United States, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 250% on imported drugs.
From direct price negotiations and restructuring sales channels to advertising regulation and tariff threats, the U.S. government is forcing the pharmaceutical industry to restructure its operations and business models in the American market.