The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Aug. 15 announced the results of price negotiations for the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare Drug Negotiation Program, made possible by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.

The new prices, set to go into effect in 2026, are expected to save Medicare $6 billion on prescription drugs and beneficiaries $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in the first year alone. Patient out-of-pocket costs will be determined by the specific pharmacy benefit plan.  

The agreed upon discounts, ranging between 38% and 79% off the list price, are for Medicare’s most popular and costliest drugs, including blood thinners Xarelto and Eliquis, heart failure medications Farxiga and Entresto, and diabetes drugs Jardiance and Januvia.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can select another 15 drugs for price negotiations next year. Access the CMS fact sheet for more information.

The ACC is committed to addressing the public health challenge posed by rising prescription drug prices and championing equitable access to cardiovascular care. Explore the ACC’s principles on patient access to prescription drugs to learn more.

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Prescription Drugs, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.