Medicare will soon negotiate prices for 15 more drugs as part of an effort to reduce costs for seniors and people with disabilities, federal health officials announced in a 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.
Trump administration halts health agency communications
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.
The rescinded order directed Medicare and Medicaid to test ways to lower drug costs for enrollees.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 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.
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.
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.
On its last weekday in power, the Biden Administration has chosen the next batch of drugs up for price negotiation in Medicare.
Experts suggest that most Americans will not experience immediate changes in their out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Paul Mango, a senior health official during President-elect Donald Trump's first term who was a member of Trump's current transition team, has died at 65. | Paul Mango, a senior health official during President-elect Donald Trump's first term who was a member of Trump's current transition team,
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