WASHINGTON, Feb 29 – Former President Donald Trump adn Merck KGaA announced a deal Thursday too reduce the price of certain drugs used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF), aiming to ease financial burdens for families undergoing the costly treatment.
The agreement will lower the price of select fertility medications sold by Merck kgaas U.S. and Canadian affiliates by up to 70%, benefiting an estimated one million Americans annually. Trump unveiled the initiative during a campaign event in South Carolina, framing it as a victory for families and a commitment to supporting the creation of life. The price cuts will be implemented throughout 2024, with some reductions taking effect immediately.
“We’re making IVF more affordable and accessible for all,” Trump stated at the event. “This is a very critically important issue, and we’re going to continue to fight for families.”
The deal focuses on medications like Gonal-F, Menopur, and Cetrotide, essential for ovarian stimulation and preventing premature ovulation during IVF cycles. The cost of a single IVF cycle can range from $12,000 to $15,000, with medication often accounting for 20-30% of the total expense. Rising costs have increasingly limited access to IVF for many aspiring parents.
Merck KGaA, a German science and technology company, stated the price reductions are part of its ongoing commitment to responsible pricing and patient access. “We are pleased to work with President Trump to help make fertility treatments more affordable for American families,” said a company spokesperson.
The announcement comes amid heightened political scrutiny of IVF access, especially following a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that raised concerns about the legal status of frozen embryos.The Trump campaign has sought to capitalize on the issue, positioning the former president as a champion of family values and reproductive freedom.