By Gloria Nosa
US President Donald Trump has introduced a new self-branded digital platform, TrumpRx, designed to help Americans access prescription medications at significantly lower prices, including drugs used for weight loss and fertility treatment.
The announcement was made Thursday night, February 5, during an event at the White House, where Trump said the website, TrumpRx.gov, would connect consumers directly to pharmaceutical companies’ discount programmes, eliminating some of the high costs associated with prescription drugs in the United States.
According to the president, dozens of widely used medications will be available at sharply reduced prices through the platform. He said the initiative was created to address the long-standing issue of Americans paying far more for prescription drugs than consumers in other developed countries.
The launch of TrumpRx forms part of Trump’s wider push to ease cost-of-living pressures as the country approaches the November midterm elections, a contest that could determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress.
As part of the programme, major pharmaceutical firms Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have reportedly agreed to offer steep discounts on their popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications. Under the arrangement, Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic is expected to drop from more than $1,000 per month to $199, while Eli Lilly’s Wegovy could fall from roughly $1,300 to the same price point. The website notes that the discounted rates will apply initially for two months, after which prices may gradually rise.
During the unveiling, officials presented a woman identified as the first TrumpRx user, who successfully accessed a fertility medication at a reduced cost. Mehmet Oz, television personality and current administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the lower prices could expand access to fertility treatments for more Americans.
The White House disclosed that the platform is launching with discounts on over 40 commonly prescribed medications. Users can search for specific drugs on the website, print out discount coupons and redeem them at participating pharmacies nationwide.
Trump has recently intensified efforts to pressure drug manufacturers into adopting a “Most Favored Nation” pricing model, which ties US drug prices to the lowest rates charged in other wealthy countries. In exchange, pharmaceutical companies are said to have received incentives, including relief from certain tariffs imposed by the administration.
The president has also urged countries such as Britain and France to adopt similar pricing arrangements, a stance that has reportedly led to diplomatic friction, particularly with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Although Trump previously played down concerns over rising prices, he has increasingly centered his messaging on reducing consumer costs amid weak approval ratings on economic issues. Republican leaders have voiced concerns that voter dissatisfaction over living expenses could affect the party’s chances in the midterm elections.
Trump has warned that losing control of Congress could reopen the door to impeachment efforts, further heightening the political significance of his latest economic and healthcare initiatives.
