In a significant move aimed at reducing prescription drug costs for Americans, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on May 12, 2025, at the White House. The order introduces a 'most favored nation' policy, which aims to align U.S. drug prices with the lowest prices paid by other countries [1][2].

Trump claimed the order could slash drug prices by "at least 59 percent" and potentially up to "80 or 90 percent" [1][2]. The president specifically targeted popular weight loss medications, such as Ozempic, stating that these 'fat shot' drugs cost ten times more in the United States than in other countries [2].

The executive order is part of Trump's broader strategy to combat high pharmaceutical prices, which he attributes to foreign countries forcing drug companies to lower costs abroad. "We will no longer be taken for suckers," Trump declared during the announcement [2].

However, pharmaceutical experts caution that the executive order may not have an immediate impact on consumer prices. The president has given the drug industry an opportunity to voluntarily lower prices for U.S. consumers before facing potential regulatory actions [3].

The move comes as the United States continues to grapple with significantly higher prescription drug costs compared to other wealthy nations. Trump criticized Democrats for "protecting pharma" and emphasized that neither he nor the Republican Party would be influenced by campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies [2].

While the executive order signals a strong stance against high drug prices, its implementation and effectiveness remain to be seen. The pharmaceutical industry's response and the actual impact on consumer pharmacy bills will be crucial factors in determining the success of this initiative [3].