Actions

Trump Brings His Campaign Promises To His Meeting With Pharma CEOs

President Trump wants lower drug prices — but it seems like he won't use Medicare to get them.

By: Matt Picht

Posted at 6:32 PM, Jan 31, 2017

and last updated 2017-01-31 18:32:00-05

President Trump sat down with the heads of major pharmaceutical companies Tuesday, and he brought his campaign talking points with him.

Trump told the drug company CEOs, "We have to get lower prices, we have to get better innovation, and I want you to move your companies back to the United States."

Trump has latched on to the bipartisan push against high drug prices, promising to improve price negotiation and competition in the drug industry.

But Trump apparently won't be getting those lower prices through Medicare. The program is currently banned from negotiating prices, but Trump still accused it of "price-fixing."

Trump did pledge to cut regulations and streamline the approval process for new drugs. He also lashed out at "global freeloading," accusing other countries of unfairly profiting from U.S. drug research.