Trump on drug prices: 'We must do more'

As was roundly expected, the issue of drug pricing made its way into President Trump's State of the Union address last night, during which he declared a partial victory on lowering the cost of medicines but told Congress that "we must do more.”

As with any high-level discussion of the issue, the difference between list prices — which drug companies set — and net prices — which reflect the money they actually receive — was a little murky, but Trump was clear on at least one thing: He believes the U.S. pays too much for brand-name treatments, and he wants legislators from both parties to do something about it.

“It is unacceptable that Americans pay vastly more than people in other countries for the exact same drugs, often made in the exact same place,” Trump said. “This is wrong, unfair, and together we can stop it. I am asking the Congress to pass legislation that finally takes on the problem of global freeloading and delivers fairness and price transparency for American patients — finally.”

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