President Donald Trump announced that pharmaceutical prices in the United States are expected to decrease by up to 80% under a new executive order aimed at challenging the pricing power of pharmaceutical companies. This statement was shared on Truth Social.
"Prescription Drug and Pharmaceutical prices will be REDUCED, almost immediately, by 30% to 80," said Donald John Trump. "The Pharmaceutical/Drug Companies would say, for years, that it was Research and Development Costs. Our Country will finally be treated fairly, and our citizens Healthcare Costs will be reduced by numbers never even thought of before."
A study conducted by the RAND Corporation in 2024 found that prescription drug prices in the U.S. are, on average, 2.78 times higher than those in 33 other developed countries. The disparity is even more pronounced for brand-name drugs, with U.S. prices averaging 4.22 times those abroad. In contrast, generic drugs in the U.S. cost about 67% of the average price in these countries. The study highlights the challenges faced by the U.S. healthcare system in controlling pharmaceutical costs and calls for policy reforms to improve access to affordable medications.
In April 2025, Eli Lilly filed lawsuits against four telehealth companies, alleging they distributed unauthorized versions of its weight-loss drug Zepbound produced by compounding pharmacies. NPR reports that these lawsuits reflect broader efforts by the pharmaceutical industry to limit compounded alternatives, which are often promoted as more affordable options amid rising drug prices and debates over safety and oversight.
Compounded medications can offer significant cost savings compared to brand-name drugs. According to the Houston Chronicle, compounded versions of tirzepatide and semaglutide are available for as little as $199 per month, while brand-name alternatives like Mounjaro and Zepbound can exceed $1,000 per month without insurance. These lower prices have made compounded options appealing to patients facing affordability issues.
Donald J. Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York. Before his political career, he was a real estate developer who expanded his father's business into a global brand encompassing hotels, golf courses, and commercial properties. Trump gained national fame as the host of "The Apprentice" reality TV show in the 2000s. He first assumed the presidency in 2017 and was re-elected in 2024, beginning his second term in January 2025.