The Trump administration has said it will be delaying the launch of its direct-to-consumer prescription drug portal, TrumpRx, although it has not given a reason for the delay.
TrumpRx is intended as a way to give Americans access to discounted prescription drugs by purchasing medications directly from manufacturers. The idea is to gain drug prices comparable to other developed countries. The portal was originally expected to launch on January 30, following a drug pricing deal between U.S. government and Pfizer in September. The pharmaceutical company has agreed to discounts between 50% and 85% on some blockbuster medications. Since then, other drug companies have agreed to discounts on some of their products.
However, some drug pricing experts have argued that the portal is unlikely to be beneficial to the majority of Americans. For instance, those who have private insurance will be unable to count purchases toward their deductibles. Furthermore, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), along with several colleagues, has been demanding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide transparency around drug pricing arrangements with pharmaceutical companies, including how they will affect patients and existing drug pricing programs.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said at the Cabinet meeting on January 29 that the launch would “probably [be] in the next 10 days.”