US President Donald Trump announced this week that Americans will soon be able to buy medicine at discounted prices through a new website called TrumpRx.

Partnership with Pfizer

On Tuesday, Trump revealed from the Oval Office that the federal government is partnering with Pfizer to let the company sell medicines directly to consumers. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla joined him at the announcement. Trump added that similar deals with other major drugmakers are under discussion.

“The United States is done subsidising the health care of the rest of the world,” Trump said. “By taking this bold step, we’re ending the era of global price gouging at the expense of American families.”

Pfizer’s Bourla also welcomed the initiative. “I think today we are turning the tide, and we are reversing an unfair situation,” he said.

How Will It Work?

The website, expected to launch in early 2026, will not directly sell or deliver medicines. Instead, users will search for drugs on TrumpRx and then be redirected to Pfizer’s direct-to-consumer sales platform. Pfizer has said it will sell many key medicines and some brand-name drugs at discounts of up to 50 percent.

The company also plans to expand manufacturing in the US. In return, it will receive a three-year exemption from tariffs on some pharmaceutical products.

The “Most Favoured Nation” Pricing

Trump explained that some drugs would be sold at the same prices offered in other developed countries, such as Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, Switzerland, and Denmark. This system, known as “Most Favoured Nation” pricing, means Americans will pay a similar “net price” after discounts and subsidies.

Trump had attempted this approach during his first term. In May, he signed an executive order instructing drugmakers to adopt this model and asked the Health and Human Services Department to set price targets. He also wrote to pharma CEOs, warning them to comply or face penalties.

“If you refuse to step up, we will deploy every tool in our arsenal to protect American families from continued abusive drug pricing practices,” the letter stated.

Why It Matters

According to a 2024 Health and Human Services report, Americans often pay three times more for medicines compared to citizens of other developed countries. This gap is largely due to the US healthcare system, where insurers and pharmacy benefit managers act as middlemen.

The Catch

There are still unanswered questions. A White House official clarified that only people not using health insurance could buy through the website. For those with insurance, pharmacy purchases might remain cheaper.

Experts also noted complications. Many countries control drug prices through nationalised healthcare systems, unlike the US, which relies on market forces. Some analysts warn that drugmakers may raise prices abroad rather than cut prices in America.

Expert Reactions

Health policy specialists remain skeptical. Ameet Sarpatwari of Harvard Medical School told NPR, “I think it’s more underwhelming than what the president is touting.” He added that it looks more like “window dressing than the transformational sort of reforms” needed for real relief.

Chris Meekins, a health policy researcher at Raymond James, agreed. In a note to clients, he wrote: “New Trump drug website is likely irrelevant as few will pay out of pocket. If this is all that President Trump does on drug pricing, it is likely a win for the pharmaceutical industry.”

Analysts also pointed out that several drugs on Pfizer’s list, including Duavee, Eucrisa, Toviaz, and Xeljanz, are expensive, rarely prescribed in the US, or about to face competition from cheaper generic versions. For instance, Xeljanz costs $6,000 per month but is set to lose exclusivity next year.

Praise from Allies

Despite criticism, Trump’s move received support from allies. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr said, “Never has a president stood up so bravely for the American people with respect to health care.”

Pfizer’s Bourla also backed the tariff-driven approach. “The president is absolutely right, tariffs is the most powerful tool to motivate behaviours,” he said.