“Improving prescription drug affordability for Medicare enrollees is the core of the Inflation Reduction Act, and the next cycle of negotiations will continue to strengthen Medicare for generations to come," Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in the news release.

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, price negotiations with manufacturers will begin this year, with reduced prices expected to take effect in 2027.

The rescinded order directed Medicare and Medicaid to test ways to lower drug costs for enrollees. Those tests hadn’t started, so current drug prices are unaffected.

The Health and Human Services Department won’t issue health advisories, reports or other materials until further notice, the Washington Post reported.

As of Monday, FDA commissioner Robert Califf, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, Medicare director Meena Seshamani, and FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research director Patrizia Cavazzoni have retired or intend to retire prior to Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20.

Meena Seshamani’s Medicare swan song ended on a note of bravura: the announcement that 15 costly drugs, including Novo Nordisk blockbusters Wegovy and Ozempic, are slated for price talks.

Experts suggest that most Americans will not experience immediate changes in their out-of-pocket health care expenses.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2025 / The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced an additional 15 drugs that will be subject to price controls under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

The talks around drugs including Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, GSK's Trelegy Ellipta, and Pfizer's Xtandi will set Medicare prices that go into effect in 2027.

Abe Sutton, a health policy aide in the first Trump administration, is likely to be named head of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at CMS.

Drugs used to treat cancer, diabetes and other chronic conditions are among 15 picked for negotiations that could result in lower prices for patients, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Friday.

On its last weekday in power, the Biden Administration has chosen the next batch of drugs up for price negotiation in Medicare.