Medicare Targets 15 Expensive Drugs for Price Cuts by 2028

Patients struggling with cancer, HIV, and chronic conditions just got promising news about their medication costs. The federal government announced Tuesday that 15 widely used drugs will join Medicare's price negotiation program, with lower prices taking effect in 2028.

This marks a major shift in how Medicare tackles drug costs. For the first time, the list includes medicines administered in doctors' offices, not just prescriptions filled at pharmacies.

Among the selected medications are Biktarvy, a crucial HIV treatment, and three cancer therapies: Verzenio for breast cancer, Erleada for prostate cancer, and Lenvima for advanced cancers. These drugs could see significant savings since insurers currently negotiate smaller discounts on them.

The list also includes Botox for chronic migraines, Trulicity for heart disease, and treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory conditions. Together, these 15 medications represent some of Medicare's highest spending categories.

Medicare already negotiated lower prices for two earlier rounds of drugs. Those negotiations resulted in price cuts of up to 79% for some medications, saving the program billions while reducing patient copays.

Why This Inspires

This expansion shows that the program is gaining momentum despite initial industry pushback. When Medicare first gained negotiating power, pharmaceutical companies filed lawsuits trying to stop it. Now, the government is confidently expanding the program to include more types of treatments.

The inclusion of cancer and HIV drugs is particularly meaningful. These medications fall into Medicare's "protected class," meaning insurance plans must cover them. Without strong negotiation, manufacturers faced little pressure to offer competitive prices on these essential treatments.

Over 33 million Americans rely on Medicare Advantage plans, and millions more use traditional Medicare. When drug prices drop for this program, the savings reach some of the country's most vulnerable patients who face serious health conditions.

The two-year wait until 2028 allows manufacturers time to adjust while giving patients something concrete to look forward to. Medicare beneficiaries who struggle to afford their current medications now have a timeline for relief.

This represents the kind of change that happens slowly but matters enormously when it arrives: making life-saving treatments accessible to people who need them most.