The White House on Thursday announced measures aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization, including a new “most-favored nation” pricing deal with the manufacturer of a leading fertility drug.
Why it matters: The effort combines two Trump priorities: lowering drug prices and making IVF treatment more affordable.
The procedure is often not fully covered by insurance, with roughly a quarter of employers reporting coverage of IVF for their workers.
EMD Serono agreed to similar pricing terms that the administration made in recent deals with Pfizer and AstraZeneca, including “most-favored nation” pricing on new drugs and those sold to state Medicaid programs, the source said.
As part of the agreement, EMD Serono will seek expedited FDA review of a new combination therapy called Pergoveris that contains two hormones used in the IVF process.
The White House announced policies on Thursday to increase access to IVF, including a new “most-favored nation” pricing agreement with a major fertility medication manufacturer.
Why it matters: The initiative combines two of Trump’s top priorities: reducing the cost of medications and lowering the cost of IVF treatment.
Although about 25% of employers report that their employees’ insurance covers IVF, the procedure is frequently not fully covered by insurance.
Highlighting the news: The White House announced an agreement with EMD Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, a German pharmaceutical company, that calls for the government’s TrumpRx portal to list three of its injectable IVF treatments beginning in January.
The company stated that when all three are used together as part of a standard protocol, patients will receive an 84 percent discount off list prices.
According to the source, EMD Serono accepted comparable pricing terms for new medications and those sold to state Medicaid programs, such as “most-favored nation” pricing, that the administration had negotiated in recent agreements with Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
EMD Serono will request an expedited FDA review of Pergoveris, a novel combination therapy that contains two hormones used in IVF, as part of the agreement.
The company also signed a deal with the Commerce Department that states that if it makes investments in future U.S. manufacturing and research, its products and ingredients will not be subject to Section 232 tariffs. A.
Context: In February, Trump issued policy recommendations aimed at lowering the average cost of IVF cycles, which can range from $12,000 to $25,000.
Trump, who referred to himself as the “fertilization president” in March, has aligned himself with “pro-natalist” policies in an effort to promote a new baby boom and supported assisted reproductive services. “.”.
But the administration’s role has prompted conservatives who oppose abortion to demand new restrictions that could significantly curtail the treatment’s use.
In order to increase the chances of a pregnancy, IVF typically creates more human embryos than are required, making the procedure politically sensitive.
There are a lot of extra embryos that are thrown away, which some anti-abortion groups compare to assisted suicide and abortion.
The February order did not address Trump’s pledge during the campaign to require insurance companies or the government to pay for IVF for “all Americans that need it.”. “.”.
Trump has been pressuring major pharmaceutical companies to reduce their U.S. S. prices by adhering to the policy he outlined in an executive order in May, which was the most favored nation.
Editor’s note: Information about the agreement has been added to this story.
