In late July, President Trump sent the heads of 17 of the US’s best known drug makers letters asking them to lower the prices of their drugs.
In a widely shared photo, the White House press secretary holds up an example that was sent to the head of Eli Lilly, David Ricks, striking out the formal greeting and using just, “Dear David.”
This personalization hints at a friendlier relationship than the text of the letter might otherwise convey.
This letter (and presumably the others that were sent) goes on to list a series of requests to be completed by the companies in the next 60 days.
According to the letter’s text and a fact sheet published, the administration expects companies to:
- Provide all of their drugs at most favored nations rates for all Medicaid enrollees,
- Guarantee the most favored nation rate for new drugs for all US payers, including in Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans, and
- Provide the same price to patients paying cash through direct distribution models.
So, just provide those lower prices as requested in 60 days? Oh boy. What is an executive to do with this bit of information?
