January 17, 2025

15 New Drugs Selected for 2025 Medicare Price Negotiation

On Friday, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a list of 15 new prescription drugs that Medicare will negotiate lower prices for. Under the law, HHS is required to negotiate a specific number of drugs each year.

The list contains a number of drugs that older Americans use, including Janumet, which is used to treat diabetes, and Otezla, which is used to treat psoriatic arthritis. Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy – which are used to treat diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity – are the most widely used drugs on the list, with about 2.2 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries taking them between November 2023 and October 2024. Trelegy Ellipta, used to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the next most widely used drug, with about 1.2 million Part D enrollees using it for treatment.

“Lower prices for these drugs are needed and will save patients and taxpayers billions of dollars a year,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “We call on President-elect Trump and the next Administration to follow the law and negotiate a fair deal that puts the needs of patients first.”

Drug corporations will have until February 28, 2025, to indicate whether they will participate in the negotiations.