How effective will TrumpRX be at lowering prescription drug prices for Americans?

Amna Nawaz:

A new Web site, TrumpRx, that the president says will help Americans buy lower-priced prescription drugs is now online. The site lists drugs that reduced rates with coupon codes to be used at participating pharmacies or directly through manufacturers' Web sites. It's part of his pledge to lower drug prices in the U.S., where consumers tend to pay much more than their European peers.

Stephanie Sy has more.

Stephanie Sy:

Amna, TrumpRx currently has about 40 brand name medications on offer from five companies, including popular weight loss and infertility treatments.

At an event yesterday, the president called it one of the most transformative health care initiatives of all time.

President Donald Trump:

This launch represents the largest reduction in prescription drug prices in history by many, many times. And it's not even close. You're going to see numbers that you're not going to believe.

Stephanie Sy:

But health policy experts caution the impact would likely be muted, especially for the 85 percent of Americans who have prescription drug coverage.

With more, we're joined now by Dan Diamond, a reporter for The Washington Post, who focuses on policy and public health.

Dan, it's good to see you.

So, talk about how TrumpRx works in practice. It's not a Web site that sells drugs direct to consumer, but it's more for information, right?

Dan Diamond, The Washington Post:

Yes, it's a government program, a government Web site intended to help Americans get discounted prescription drugs. So you can be directed to a manufacturer's Web site. You can print out a coupon in some cases, maybe even call a pharmacy directly and get the drug sent in the mail.

It's more about information than actually purchasing the medication.

Stephanie Sy:

What kinds of drugs are available at these discounted prices right now? Why these specific drugs? And are more expected to be added?

Dan Diamond:

The Trump administration has negotiated with 16 different pharmaceutical companies. Some of those companies have put their drugs on this Web site so far.

So, Novo Nordisk, which makes drugs that are used for weight loss like Ozempic and Wegovy, you can go on the Web site and find access to discounts on those drugs. EMD Serono, which does fertility medication, there's significant discounts for drugs there as well, and then other drugs around diabetes, thyroid medication.

But, notably, a lot of these drugs are older and there are generic alternatives for these medications. The pharmaceutical companies that are participating were not looking to give discounts on their bestsellers, their newest drugs.

So, in many cases, these are drugs where there might have already been discounts available. And if you go on the Web site and look, there is a warning even, and if you have insurance, you might be able to get a discount that is better than what is available through TrumpRx.

Stephanie Sy:

Plus, most Americans have insurance where co-pays may be less than even the discounted price of these drugs, right?

And yet not all insurance policies cover these really popular weight loss and fertility drugs. Is that where experts say we're likely to see the greatest impact on consumer benefit, Dan?

Dan Diamond:

I think so.

I think that's where there has been bipartisan excitement even over the obesity access. I talked to folks in Bernie Sanders' office when that announcement happened. Even they were saying this is something that would benefit many Americans.

The challenge, I think, is that there are many drugs that are not listed here. I mean, if there are 43 drugs or so listed on the Web site right now, that is a tiny, tiny fraction of the medications that many Americans need. And the question is, how fast will more drugs come online?

The Trump administration has said they're trying to add more. But as of right now, the benefits are limited really to the categories you highlighted.

Stephanie Sy:

Will TrumpRx have any larger impact on other drug prices?

Dan Diamond:

I think the effort that the administration has made that goes beyond the Web site is what I'm watching.

So the president and his deputies, I think to their credit, have tried to bend the ear of pharmaceutical companies on these high drug prices. They have gone to foreign leaders and asked them to raise the price of drugs overseas to help carry the cost of research and development here. So TrumpRx is a part of that broader strategy.

If TrumpRx does have more drugs available, if it is expanded to the 90 percent or so of Americans who have health insurance, then it would be more beneficial. But there is a broader strategy here too.

Stephanie Sy:

You have also written, Dan, about the politics of this move by Mr. Trump. It's being touted by the president as the most impactful prescription drug reset in history. And, of course, it fits into his broader agenda to convince Americans he's helping make life more affordable.

Will enough Americans feel the benefit of this program in coming months to help the president make that case?

Dan Diamond:

That's a great question.

So Republicans historically have lagged behind on health care, especially in election years. There are polls, I saw one from KFF, a reputable firm, recently that found a double-digit lead for Democrats on most health care issues, who do you trust to handle your health insurance?

But on the issue of prescription drugs, it has narrowed. I think Republicans were only lagging behind by five points, which suggests that there is a messaging success potentially for Republicans. But health care has always been a crucial issue when voters go to the polls. Republicans are trying to make this more of their issue.

And that's why this has been such a ballyhooed event by the White House, why they had Dr. Oz walking people through this televised infomercial almost to show how TrumpRx worked.

Stephanie Sy:

That is Dan Diamond with The Washington Post.

Thanks for joining us, Dan.

Dan Diamond:

Thank you.