Trump, pharma industry discuss boosting medicine spending abroad to cut US prices, sources say
The Trump administration has been talking to pharmaceutical companies about ways to raise prices of medicines in Europe and elsewhere in order to cut medication costs in the United States, according to a White House official and three pharmaceutical industry sources.
US officials told drug companies it would support their international negotiations with governments if they adopt "most favored nation" pricing under which US drug costs match the lower rates offered to other wealthy countries, the White House official said.
The US is currently negotiating bilateral trade deals and setting tariff rates on the sector.
The Trump administration has asked some companies for ideas on raising prices abroad, two of the sources said, describing multiple meetings over several months aimed at lowering US prices without triggering cuts to research and development spending pharmaceutical companies insist would result.
Source: Reuters, 7 August 2025