Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Patients for Affordable Drugs is launching an ad campaign Thursday that asks President Trump to maintain Democrats' Medicare drug price negotiation process.
Why it matters: The administration has signaled that it will defend the negotiations but still could make changes to the program that accommodate the industry.
State of play: The ad, shared first with Axios, splices clips of Trump talking about drug prices during his first term and bashing the pharmaceutical industry. He calls for tougher negotiations and more competition.
- It's slated to run nationally during "Fox and Friends" and with digital ads online that contain a similar message.
What they're saying: "We pay as a country so much more for drugs because of the drug lobbies," Trump says in one clip in the ad.
- "The problem is we're the largest drug buyer in the world. We don't negotiate. Tougher negotiation, more competition, and much lower prices," he adds. "The drug companies are getting away with murder."
What we're watching: The current round of negotiations focuses on 15 widely used drugs — including Ozempic and Wegovy — with new prices due to take effect in 2027.
- Drug manufacturers and their allies continue to press court challenges to the process, saying the law violates the First Amendment and the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment.
- CMS administrator nominee Mehmet Oz pledged during his confirmation hearing to use the talks to help lower drug prices. Oz is expected to be confirmed by the Senate on Thursday.
