politics
President Defends Drug Price Reduction Calculations During White House Event
The president addressed claims about prescription drug price cuts exceeding 100% during an Oval Office event on health care affordability. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. explained the calculations, referencing prior price increases by manufacturers. The event also announced a deal with drugmaker Regeneron to lower costs of its products.
Apr 24, 6:45 AM·1m read1 source
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The president defended statements about prescription drug price reductions during an event on health care affordability in the Oval Office on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The president acknowledged past claims of reducing consumer costs by 500% or 600%, but also mentioned figures like 50% or 60%, describing them as different ways of calculating.
The president stated that people understand the lower percentages better and that either method works.
Explanation of Calculations Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. addressed the topic, noting a previous exchange with Sen. Elizabeth Warren during a congressional hearing. Kennedy said that if a drug price rose from $100 to $600, that represents a 600% increase from the original value, though the actual increase is 500%.
Kennedy explained that substantial reductions could wipe out increases exceeding 100%. The president has repeated such percentage claims in efforts to lower drug prices.
During the event, the president discussed the ongoing Iran war, which began on February 28, 2026, stating that Iran's military was decimated within the initially predicted four to six weeks. The U.S. and Iran agreed to a ceasefire this month, with an extension announced this week, though neither side declares the war over.
's 1963 'I Have a Dream' speech, stating pictures show similar or larger attendance. The event included Chris Klomp, director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and announced a deal with drugmaker Regeneron to reduce costs of its pharmaceutical products.
