NEWSROOM

The new government-run prescription drug portal, TrumpRx, is now live. It launched early this month after a delay from its original planned kick-off in January. 

The site features 40 of the most popular – and expensive – branded medications from pharmaceutical companies that have worked out discounted pricing agreements with the White House. Those firms include 16 of the 17 largest manufacturers, five of whom have agreed to most-favored nation pricing. Firms AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Merck KGaA’s EMD Serona, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer. 

The featured medications comprise pills, injectables, nebulizers, and ointments. They include Ozempic and Wegovy for diabetes and obesity from Novo Nordisk, fertility drugs from EMD Serona, inhalers from AstraZeneca, eczema treatment Eucrisa from Pfizer, COPD medicine Bevespi Aerosphere, and others. 

GLP-1 meds are priced dramatically lower than in 2025. Ozempic and injectable Wegovy costs are down from $1,028 and $1,379, respectively, to average prices of around $350, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. Some doses are as low as $199. The new Wegovy pill, which launched last month at $299 per month, is available at TrumpRx starting at $149. Eli Lilly’s competing Zepbound is as low as $299, down from over $1,000 per month. Drug dosage determines costs.

Patients do not buy drugs directly through the new site, but they can access discounted pricing in one of two ways:
•    Printable or digital TrumpRx coupons that are redeemable at retail pharmacies such as CVS.
•    Manufacturer-integrated tools and links built into TrumpRx.gov. 

Although operational only for only a brief period, the drug discount program and website are not without their critics. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden has described it as a “glorified coupon book.” Two professors from the University of Washington, including a former dean of pharmacy, have also been critical. They note in an opinion piece for Stat that while the site may save some Americans money on prescription drugs, it will be less beneficial for the roughly 85% of Americans who have current prescription drug insurance coverage. 

In addition, it’s not yet known if those with insurance coverage were to purchase meds through TrumpRx whether their costs would count toward their insurance deductibles and annual out-of-pocket maximums.

Something else to consider is that about half of the drugs being discounted through TrumpRx already have generic equivalents, which are usually priced much lower the brand name drugs. That’s beneficial to those with and without insurance.