Experts Doubt Pharma’s Direct-to-Consumer Push Will Cut Drug Bills

U.S. pharmaceutical companies are expanding plans to sell prescription medicines directly to patients, an approach championed by President Donald Trump as a way to curb rising drug prices. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have already opened direct-purchase channels for their weight-loss drugs, while Bristol Myers Squibb said it will make its blood thinner Eliquis available through the model. Novo Nordisk intends to add its diabetes treatment Ozempic, and industry heavyweights Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Roche have expressed support on recent earnings calls. Health-policy specialists cited in a new analysis by STAT reporter Elaine Chen argue the "pharm-to-table" strategy is unlikely to deliver broad savings. Cash prices offered directly by manufacturers—often several hundred dollars per month—remain higher than the co-payments most insured patients face, and purchases made outside insurance networks do not count toward deductibles or annual out-of-pocket maximums. The findings suggest that, despite political pressure and industry enthusiasm, direct-to-consumer sales may have only limited impact on Americans’ overall drug spending.