President Donald Trump on Thursday officially unveiled TrumpRx, a new direct-to-consumer website designed to offer discounted prices on certain prescription medications. The administration describes the initiative as a way to address longstanding concerns about the high cost of drugs in the United States.
At a White House event announcing the launch, Trump called the program “one of the most transformative health care initiatives of all time,” saying, “Starting tonight, dozens of the most commonly used prescription drugs will be available at dramatic discounts for all consumers throughout a new website is called TrumpRx.gov.”
Why Prescription Costs Matter
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Americans pay nearly three times more for prescription medications than people in other developed countries, despite the fact that more than half of those drugs were originally developed in the U.S. Approximately 60% of American adults take at least one prescription medication, and about 25% take four or more, making drug pricing a significant issue for many households.
Trump has repeatedly pointed to the role of pharmaceutical companies in driving costs, stating in November, “The United States is just 1% of the world’s population and consumes only 13% of all prescription drugs yet pharmaceutical companies make 75% of their profits from American customers.”
How TrumpRx Works
TrumpRx is structured as a price-listing and coupon platform rather than a pharmacy or delivery service. The website includes discounted prices from more than a dozen drugmakers, including Pfizer and Novo Nordisk. These discounts stem from agreements Trump negotiated with manufacturers last year, requiring them to list at least some of their medications on the site at reduced prices.
One example highlighted by the administration is the weight-loss drug Wegovy Pen. A four-week supply is listed at $199 for the first two months, increasing to $349 afterward. That is significantly lower than the drug’s approximate $1,349 list price.
However, TrumpRx does not ship medications directly to consumers. Users must print out a coupon from the website and take it to a participating pharmacy to fill their prescription. The site’s FAQ section notes that the discounted prices are “only available for cash-paying patients.”
Who Is Most Likely to Benefit
Because most Americans pay for prescription drugs through insurance, TrumpRx may not be the best option for everyone. The website itself advises insured users to compare prices first, stating, “If you have insurance, check your co-pay first — it may be even lower.”
The program is most likely to benefit uninsured Americans, people with high deductibles, and those whose medications are not covered by their insurance plans. This includes certain weight-loss and IVF drugs, which are often excluded from employer-provided insurance coverage.
While Medicare is expected to begin covering weight-loss drugs in the coming months, many private insurance plans still do not, potentially making TrumpRx an alternative for those patients.
Broader Drug Pricing Strategy
TrumpRx is part of a wider effort by the administration to push down drug prices through its “most favored nation” policy. Under this approach, drugmakers are pressured to sell medications in the U.S. at their lowest global prices. In recent months, the administration has negotiated agreements with more than a dozen pharmaceutical companies to both participate in TrumpRx and lower prices for certain drugs for Medicaid patients.
The administration has also taken other steps aimed at reshaping the pharmaceutical market. In October, Trump signed an executive order imposing 100% tariffs on branded or patented drugs imported into the U.S. He later said companies could avoid those tariffs by building manufacturing plants domestically.
Separately, the administration announced in November that prices for 15 Medicare-covered prescription drugs would be reduced, though those changes are not scheduled to take effect until 2027.
Looking Ahead
Supporters of TrumpRx see it as a new option for consumers facing high out-of-pocket drug costs, particularly those without insurance coverage. Critics and analysts note that its impact may be limited for insured patients and that its long-term effect on overall drug pricing remains to be seen.
