STAT+: Drugmakers promise to stockpile certain drugs as part of new drug pricing deals

WASHINGTON — Brand drugmakers have agreed to donate bulk ingredients to a national stockpile as part of deals with the Trump administration focused on lowering U.S. drug prices to levels available to other wealthy countries.

The administration announced Friday that nine more drugmakers agreed to so-called most favored nation prices, bringing the total number of companies to sign such deals this year to 14. The agreements are similar to those shared earlier this year: brand drugmakers will lower prices and boost domestic manufacturing in return for avoiding tariffs.

But the stockpile is a new aspect. Some of the nine companies agreed to donate six months’ worth of certain drug ingredients to the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Reserve and to make finished-dose products from those ingredients during emergencies. Among them, Merck will supply the bulk ingredients for its antibiotic ertapenem; Bristol Myers Squibb will provide the blood thinner apixaban, commonly sold under the brand name Eliquis; and GSK will donate albuterol.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…