The White House launched the new TrumpRx prescription drug listing site. President Donald Trump announced the initiative, which results from deals struck with major pharmaceutical companies, as a cornerstone effort to offer direct-to-consumer discounts.
What is TrumpRx?
TrumpRx is a new website launched by the White House that lists dozens of prescription medications at steeply discounted prices. It is a direct result of agreements Donald Trump secured last year with more than a dozen drugmakers, including industry giants like Pfizer and Novo Nordisk. The platform does not sell drugs directly. Instead, users can search for a medication, print out a gold-embossed coupon, and present it at their local pharmacy to receive the discounted rate.
The discounts showcased are significant. For instance, a four-week supply of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy injection pens is listed at $199 for the first two months and $349 after. It is far below the list price of $1,349.02. Similarly, a unit of Gonal-F, a drug used in IVF treatments, is listed at $252—an 83% discount. This aligns with a campaign pledge Mr. Trump made regarding fertility treatment coverage.
At a White House event, Donald Trump called TrumpRx “one of the most transformative health care initiatives of all time.” The site’s design was led by the administration’s Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, an Airbnb founder, who stated that more drugs will be added over time.
However, the impact on many insured Americans may be limited. The site itself advises, “If you have insurance, check your co-pay first—it may be even lower.” Most people pay for medication through insurance, so these direct discounts may not alter their final cost. Health economist Sean Sullivan told CBS News last year that such direct-to-patient programs are often “a sideshow and branding opportunity,” as few patients buy medications with cash unless the drug is not covered, like some weight loss or fertility drugs.
The primary beneficiaries are likely to be uninsured Americans, those with high deductibles, and patients whose specific medications are excluded from their insurance formulary.
