The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that it has successfully negotiated lower prices for 10 of the most expensive and widely used drugs covered under Medicare.
“For the first time ever, Medicare negotiated directly with drug companies and the American people are better off for it,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in an Aug. 15 statement, adding that the new prices, set to take effect in 2026, are expected to save the Medicare program $6 billion in the first year and reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries by $1.5 billion.
- Eliquis: A blood thinner used to reduce the risk of stroke, costing Medicare $16.5 billion, to be 56 percent cheaper.
- Jardiance: A diabetes and heart failure medication, costing $7 billion, to be 66 percent cheaper.
- Xarelto: Another blood thinner, costing $6 billion, to be 62 percent cheaper.
- Januvia: A diabetes drug, costing $4.1 billion, to be 79 percent cheaper.
- Farxiga: Used for diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, costing $3.3 billion, to be 68 percent cheaper.
- Entresto: A heart failure drug, costing $2.9 billion, to be 53 percent cheaper.
- Enbrel: Treats autoimmune conditions, costing $2.8 billion, to be 67 percent cheaper.
- Imbruvica: A leukemia treatment, costing $2.7 billion, to be 38 percent cheaper.
- Stelara: Treats autoimmune diseases, costing $2.6 billion, to be 66 percent cheaper.
- NovoLog, Fiasp (insulin aspart): Insulin products, costing $2.6 billion, to be 76 percent cheaper