US President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled a self-branded prescription drug platform, TrumpRx, a new website designed to allow Americans purchase discounted medications directly from pharmaceutical companies as his administration moves to ease public anger over the rising cost of living.
The announcement, made at the White House, comes months ahead of the November midterm elections, where Republicans face the risk of losing control of Congress amid growing voter dissatisfaction over inflation and healthcare costs.
According to Trump, dozens of widely used prescription drugs will now be available to consumers at sharply reduced prices through the TrumpRx platform. He argued that Americans have for years paid far more for medicines than citizens of other developed nations, effectively subsidising global pharmaceutical markets.
“Americans have long been paying the highest drug prices anywhere in the world,” Trump said, adding that his administration is determined to reverse what he described as years of unfair pricing practices.
As part of the initiative, major pharmaceutical companies including Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have agreed to offer deep discounts on their highly popular but costly GLP-1 weight-loss medications. Trump disclosed that Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, previously priced at over $1,000 per month, will be available for $199 monthly, while Eli Lilly’s Wegovy will drop from about $1,300 to the same price point. The TrumpRx website notes that prices will gradually increase after an initial two-month period.
During the event, officials introduced a woman described as the first user of the TrumpRx platform, who obtained a fertility treatment medication at a reduced cost. In a moment that drew both applause and criticism, Mehmet Oz, former television doctor and now Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, joked that lower prices could lead to “a lot of Trump babies.”
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The White House said the platform is launching with savings on more than 40 commonly prescribed drugs. Consumers can search for medications on the site, print discount coupons, and present them at participating pharmacies to access reduced prices.
Trump also revealed that his administration has secured “Most Favored Nation” pricing agreements with several drug manufacturers, ensuring that US consumers pay prices comparable to the lowest rates offered in other wealthy countries. In return, pharmaceutical companies have received incentives, including relief from tariffs imposed under Trump’s renewed trade policies.
The US president has also pressured countries such as Britain and France to renegotiate pharmaceutical pricing agreements, often publicly clashing with foreign leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, over the issue.
Although Trump previously dismissed affordability concerns as a political tactic by Democrats, he has recently intensified efforts to cut consumer costs as polling shows declining approval ratings, particularly on economic management. Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that a poor midterm showing could cost the party control of Congress, a scenario Trump has warned could open the door to another impeachment effort.
