Trump’s Drug Price Deals: 3-Year Limit Revealed | STAT

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s “most-favored nation” (MFN) drug pricing agreements, touted by former President Trump as a way to lower prescription drug costs for Americans, are expiring for some pharmaceutical companies after a three-year duration, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The agreements, initially announced in 2020, aimed to tie the prices of certain drugs in the U.S. To the lowest prices paid in other developed countries. Even as the full details of the agreements – including the specific drugs covered and the exact savings achieved – have remained largely undisclosed, the expiration of these initial contracts raises questions about the future of the program and its long-term impact on drug pricing. STAT News first reported on the expiration dates, citing SEC filings. The MFN rule, implemented through a series of executive orders, required pharmaceutical companies to charge the U.S. Government the lowest price they offered to comparable countries. Sixteen companies initially agreed to participate. Although, the policy faced legal challenges from the pharmaceutical industry, which argued it would stifle innovation and limit patient access to medications. Lobbying efforts surrounding the MFN deals have been significant, with industry groups seeking to influence the implementation and potential expansion of the program, according to a report by Politico. Lobbyists are reportedly “salivating” for further opportunities to shape drug pricing policies under a potential second Trump administration. The Biden administration has largely paused the implementation of the MFN rule, and its future remains uncertain. The State of the Union address is expected to address health policy, but the extent to which drug pricing will be a focus remains to be seen, according to analysis from The Washington Post. Trump’s administration also launched an online drugstore, intended to offer lower-cost prescription drugs directly to consumers. The Recent York Times reported on the opening of this online platform, which was another component of the administration’s efforts to lower drug prices. The expiration of the initial MFN agreements does not necessarily signal the end of the program. The Trump campaign has indicated a continued interest in pursuing policies to lower drug costs, and further negotiations with pharmaceutical companies could occur should Trump win the 2024 election. However, the lack of transparency surrounding the initial agreements and the legal challenges they faced suggest that implementing such policies will be complex and contentious. As of February 27, 2026, neither the Biden administration nor the pharmaceutical companies involved have publicly commented on the expiration of the initial MFN agreements or their plans for future negotiations.