President Donald Trump has announced a historic agreement intended to alleviate the financial strain on American families seeking fertility treatments. In a statement from the Oval Office, the President revealed that his administration has successfully negotiated with EMD Serono, the US branch of the German pharmaceutical conglomerate Merck, to substantially cut the prices of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) medications by up to 84%.
"We want to make it easier for all couples to have babies, raise children, and start the families they've always dreamed about." - The White House Tweet.
The initiative is a significant milestone for the estimated 10 million women in the United States facing challenges in conceiving. Fertility treatments, particularly IVF, can be prohibitively expensive, with the average cost of a single cycle hovering around $25,000. Often, multiple cycles are required, further compounding the financial burden on couples.
During the press conference, President Trump expressed his commitment to reducing healthcare costs, stating, "We'll dramatically slash the cost of IVF and the treatment and many of the most common fertility drugs for countless millions of Americans." He emphasized the deal's potential to foster healthier pregnancies, healthier babies, and the growth of American families.
The partnership with EMD Serono introduces a direct-to-consumer model, where the manufacturer will offer medications at reduced prices through TrumpRx, an established federal website. The arrangement covers three major IVF medications, including Gonal-f, Ovidrel, and Cetrotide, drugs essential to the IVF process.
The President also announced the Food and Drug Administration's collaboration with EMD Serono to expedite the approval of Pergoveris, a fertility medication already available in Europe. With these measures in place, President Trump projected a 73% savings in drug costs per IVF cycle for American consumers.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were among the officials present during the announcement, signaling a unified approach to enhancing fertility care accessibility.
The White House tweeted, "We want to make it easier for all couples to have babies, raise children, and start the families they've always dreamed about." This sentiment underscores the administration's focus on family growth and support.
This announcement is a response to the pressing need for affordable fertility options and reflects a broader initiative to address healthcare affordability. With IVF cycles resulting in nearly 96,000 births in 2023, the President's actions could significantly impact American families, offering hope and financial relief to those seeking to start or expand their families.
