Trump Announces Nine More Drug-Pricing Deals With Midsize Drugmakers

President Donald Trump announced nine new drug-pricing agreements on August 31 with midsize pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies:
Alcon, Astellas Pharma, BeOne Medicines, BridgeBio, CSL, Kyowa Kirin, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals and UCB.

The companies agreed to offer discounted outpatient medicines to state Medicaid programs at so-called most-favored-nation prices—benchmarked against the lowest prices paid in other developed countries. Participation by individual states is optional.

The deals reportedly include commitments to expand U.S. manufacturing and contribute medicines or ingredients to strategic reserves. CSL, for example, plans a $1.5 billion Illinois manufacturing investment; several companies will provide active pharmaceutical ingredients for stockpiles.

In return, companies may receive relief from certain potential tariffs and protection from broader pricing mandates. The precise commercial terms and drug-by-drug discounts have not been publicly disclosed.

The White House says the nine agreements bring the total number of companies with such deals to 26, covering roughly 89% of the branded-drug market. Critics and analysts note that the immediate effect may be limited because the agreements mainly target Medicaid, not commercial insurance or Medicare.