Did Trump Raise Prescription Drug Prices?

 https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-did-trump-raise-prescription-drug-prices-2018607

Geoffrey Joyce, the director of Health Policy at the University of Southern California's Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, told Newsweek that the $2 Medicare drug list model that emerged due to Biden's order might have had a "modest impact" on costs, while it was "hard to assess the magnitude" of impacts for the other two CMS proposals.

However, Joyce suggested that Trump's decision to quickly reverse Biden's order and potentially block any associated lowering of prescription drug costs was at odds with the president promising to lower drug prices while campaigning for a second term.

"The irony of this is that Trump campaigned on lowering drug prices yet does this on day 1 or 2?" Joyce said in an email. "I'm afraid it's only the beginning of seemingly inconsistent and/or incoherent health policies."

Political analyst Craig Agranoff told Newsweek via text message on Tuesday that Trump's decision "could have significant implications for the average American."

"While the immediate impact depends on how pharmaceutical companies respond, this move potentially opens the door for drug prices to rise," Agranoff said. "Biden's order aimed to rein in costs by promoting price transparency and competition, which are critical for making life-saving medications affordable."

"Without those measures, companies could have more flexibility to set higher prices," he added. "For many Americans, particularly those on fixed incomes or without comprehensive insurance, this change may lead to increased financial strain and limit access to essential medications."