CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY MAY 13, 2025
PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER YESTERDAY HE SAYS WILL INSTANTLY LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES IN AMERICA BY AS MUCH AS 80 PERCENT. HE RIGHTLY SAYS IT IS UNFAIR THAT SO MANY OTHER COUNTRIES PAY A FRACTION OF WHAT AMERICANS PAY FOR THE SAME DRUG, MADE IN THE SAME PLACE.
MUCH OF THE HIGHER DRUG COSTS HERE IS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THE PRESIDENT SAYS COUNTRIES THAT PAY A SMALL PERCENTAGE FOR THESE DRUGS WILL NOW HAVE TO SHARE IN THE COST OF RESEACH AND DEVELOPMENT. IF THEY WON’T, HE SAYS, THE DRUG COMPANIES WILL BE PREVENTED FROM SELLING THE DRUGS IN THOSE COUNTRIES.
“EQUALIZATION” AND “FAIRNESS” HE CALLS IT. HE DENIES THIS IS PRICE CONTROLS. MAYBE NOT, BUT WE’LL SEE HOW BIG PHARMA AND OTHER NATIONS REACT. MAYBE IT WILL BE LIKE NATO NATIONS THAT TRUMP GOT TO PAY MORE FOR THEIR OWN DEFENSE. WE’LL SEE.
THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE U.S. HAS BEEN SUBSIDIZING THE WORLD IN TOO MANY INSTANCES. NOBODY THINKS OUR DRUG PRICES ARE TOO LOW. WE’LL SOON KNOW IF THE PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE ORDER BENEFITS AMERICANS. I’M CAL THOMAS.
