The Pfizer-Trump deal: A new chapter in drug pricing or political theatre?

THE recent agreement between Pfizer chief executive officer Albert Bourla and US President Donald Trump, announced at the White House on Sep 30, represents either a groundbreaking shift in pharmaceutical pricing or a carefully orchestrated political spectacle – depending on where you stand.

The agreement includes significant price reductions, with Pfizer offering discounts of 50 to 85 per cent on many of its most popular medications. Beyond pricing concessions, Pfizer committed to investing US$70 billion in domestic manufacturing facilities, and the company will receive a three-year exemption from tariffs on US-produced pharmaceuticals.

The drugs will be available through a new government website, TrumpRx, marking an unusual direct-to-consumer model that bypasses traditional pharmacy and insurance channels.