Trump is taking credit for lower list prices. But a Biden-era law did a lot of the heavy lifting
List prices for brand-name drugs have declined significantly in 2026. But the reasons behind it may have more to do with a Biden-era law than any of the Trump administration's recent initiatives, experts told Endpoints ...
US prescription drug prices have declined, with a 0.8% drop in July and a 3.1% decrease from the previous year, according to federal data. This marks the steepest year-over-year drop since 1963. President Donald Trump has taken credit for the decline, citing his administration's initiatives, including "most favored nation" drug deals and the TrumpRx website.
However, experts say the situation is more complex, with other factors contributing to the price drop. A law passed during President Joe Biden's term allows Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies, which may be a significant contributor to the decline, according to Endpoints News and Fortune. The introduction of generic and biosimilar products also drives down prices by increasing competition.
The prescription drug price index, measured by the Labor Department, reflects the prices pharmacies receive from insurers and consumers, not directly how much consumers pay. Experts, such as Juliette Cubanski from the Program on Medicare Policy, note that it's challenging to understand the underlying factors with a single number.
Brief written by urgent.news from Endpoints News, MedPage Today, Fortune, Associated Press — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
