There have also been proposals from the current U.S. administration that aim to lower prescription drug costs, both through formal regulatory action and by encouraging voluntary compliance from manufacturers. These proposals include efforts to equalize the prices of drugs in the U.S. with the prices of those drugs in other developed countries (also known as “most favored nation” (or MFN) drug pricing policy), as well as efforts to sell prescription drugs directly to consumers. In 2025, an executive order issued by the White House directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies to implement MFN pricing through new models and potential regulatory actions. CMS has announced a pilot program in this regard for the Medicaid Program, but the full scope, timing, and impact of these initiatives remain uncertain. Adoption of these and other controls and measures and tightening of restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could limit reimbursement of pharmaceuticals. As a result, the business case for any product that receives regulatory approval for commercial sale in the U.S. may suffer if the government and third-party payers fail to provide adequate coverage and reimbursement.
