Impact of Trump and Harris on Prescription Drug Pricing

The upcoming U.S. presidential election is stirring discussions around healthcare, especially the cost of prescription drugs and the pharmaceutical industry. Understanding potential policy shifts is crucial to staying prepared as a pharma professional.

Trump’s Potential Impact on Prescription Drug Costs

Donald Trump’s first term emphasized tackling high drug prices, mainly through executive actions that aimed to foster competition and transparency. If he were re-elected, there are a few possible scenarios for how his administration might approach prescription drug pricing and the pharmaceutical industry.

1. Continued Push for Drug Price Transparency and Competition
   Trump’s previous administration pushed for price transparency, including a rule requiring hospitals to disclose the cost of procedures. In pharma, Trump favored initiatives to display drug list prices in ads. A second term could see a revival or extension of similar policies, potentially mandating more transparency around drug pricing to put competitive pressure on the market. This move would require pharma companies to be agile in justifying pricing structures publicly.
2. International Reference Pricing for Medicare Drugs
   Trump’s administration proposed an International Pricing Index…