Trump's drug EO is 'a lot of bark, no bite': Former pharma exec
Share and Follow


() President Trump’s executive order to cut drug prices up to 80% isn’t winning over everyone.

Former pharmaceutical executive William Soliman joined “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Monday to discuss the president’s order, which aims to reduce the bill for Americans at the pharmacy.

The order relies on voluntary compliance from companies and international cooperation, leading Soliman to question its overall feasibility.

“The issue really with this executive order is it’s missing a lot of details. So it’s a lot of bark and no bite, from my perspective, because (at) the end of the day, you not only [have] to get the pharma companies to agree, but you’ve also got to get the other countries to tell you what the retail prices [are],” Soliman said.

“There’s actually nothing to force them to do that, right? So for a lot of these pharmaceutical companies, there’s very little incentive, obviously, to do that.”

Soliman says one of the primary reasons Americans pay vastly more for medical drugs is that the governments of foreign nations negotiate the price. However, in the United States, “middlemen” known as pharmacy benefit managers negotiate drug pricing, rebates and discounts on behalf of the health insurers.

“In the United States, over half of the population gets their insurance through their employers. It’s private insurance,” he explained. So for those not on Medicate, “it’s not going to actually make much of a difference.”

Instead, Soliman suggests many may receive no savings, and in one instance, may have to pay more.

“There could be a higher co-pay, because the pharma company may offset the loss of revenue on the Medicare side, which is about 20% of the country,” he added.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Gold is soaring... pros say you should do this with your 401(k) soon

Gold Prices Are Climbing: Here’s What Experts Suggest You Do with Your 401(k)

For millennia, civilizations have sought out gold amid uncertainty—from old-world monarchs storing…
Republicans, playing defense on health care, uncertain of path forward 

Republicans Struggle with Health Care Strategy, Unclear on Future Direction

Republicans are on the defensive as Democrats have successfully made the shutdown…
Neil Young to pull music from Amazon in protest of Meta

Neil Young to pull music from Amazon in protest of Meta

Young is best known for his hits folk rock “Heart of Gold,”…
Luigi Mangione asks for federal charges to be dropped in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson murder

Luigi Mangione Requests Dismissal of Federal Charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Murder Case

Attorneys representing Luigi Mangione have requested a New York federal judge on…
gif of officers bashing car window with baton as fire engulfs vehicle

Driver narrowly escapes fiery car explosion as officers rush to rescue trapped man

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Newly released body camera…
Passenger says Uber driver accused in Palisades Fire was ‘nut job’ who ranted about Trump

Passenger says Uber driver accused in Palisades Fire was ‘nut job’ who ranted about Trump

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A passenger who rode…
Trump envoy Witkoff visits IDF base in northern Gaza as peace deal advances, thousands return home

Trump envoy Witkoff visits IDF base in northern Gaza as peace deal advances, thousands return home

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! White House Special Envoy…
Chinese underground church pastor, father of US citizens, detained by authorities, family says

Chinese underground church pastor, father of US citizens, detained by authorities, family says

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The pastor of one…