WASHINGTON — When President Trump announced the administration’s deal to cut prices for weight-loss drugs, he proclaimed that “you will pay the lowest price anywhere in the world.” But state Medicaid programs might already be getting lower prices, according to a research firm.

Most-favored nation pricing is the main feature of the five deals that the administration has struck with Pfizer , AstraZeneca , EMD Serono , Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly. Companies have agreed to sell drugs to Medicaid at prices that are similar to what they charge other countries. Trump has consistently described the most-favored nation prices as the lowest price among comparable countries.

It’s not.

To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In

See Full Page