Several drugmakers have raised prices on hundreds of medications despite agreements with the Trump administration aimed at lowering costs, according to an April 16 NBC News report on an analysis by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
The findings build on prior scrutiny of the administration’s TrumpRx platform. Analyses in February and March found the site’s pricing often did not match lower costs available through insurance, generics or international markets, with some drugs priced higher than in countries such as Germany.
Here are five notes from the report:
- Prices have risen despite agreements: Drugmakers that signed deals with the administration increased prices across hundreds of medications, including those for cancer and multiple sclerosis.
- New drugs launch at high prices: The companies introduced new therapies at an average price of $353,000 per year, reflecting continued upward pressure on launch pricing.
- Profits climb sharply: The companies generated $177 billion in profits in 2025, up from $107 billion the year prior.
- Blockbuster drugs see increases: Merck’s cancer treatment Keytruda rose by 6% to about $210,000 annually, while Bristol Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo increased by 4% to $260,000 per year.
- High-cost pipeline persists: The report highlights new gene therapies and specialty drugs entering the market with prices reaching as high as $2.59 million.
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