Trump Announces Major Pfizer Deal to Lower US Drug Prices After Humorous COVID Moment in Oval Office

Robert F Kennedy Jr was positioned next to Donald Trump during a White House briefing when an unexpected moment occurred.

US President Donald Trump and attendees at the White House shared a light moment when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr sneezed while standing just behind the President.

During a White House briefing focused on reducing prescription drug costs through a new agreement with Pfizer, Kennedy Jr sneezed into his elbow. Trump, who was discussing his administration's efforts to lower insulin prices, joked, "God bless you, Bobby. I hope I didn't catch Covid just there."

As laughter spread among the officials, Trump quickly turned to Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and humorously asked, "Don't you have Paxlovid?"

"He's got Paxlovid. Give me a Paxlovid immediately," the President quipped, referring to the medication used to treat COVID-19 symptoms.

The Pfizer corporation has secured a three-year exemption from Trump's pharmaceutical tariffs. This arrangement means the company will temporarily avoid paying higher tariffs, helping maintain lower drug costs and reducing financial pressure on imported medications.

During the briefing, Trump unveiled "TrumpRx," a new platform allowing consumers to purchase medicines directly from Pfizer, eliminating intermediaries to reduce costs. He stated that the federal government would operate the website, though specific operational details were not provided, according to NBC News.

Trump announced that pharmaceutical prices in the US would be significantly reduced. "This is a really big announcement. This is something that most people said was not doable," he emphasized.

Just a week prior, Trump had announced 100 percent tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs, scheduled to take effect from October 1. He clarified that these tariffs would not apply to companies establishing manufacturing facilities within the United States.

In 2024, the United States imported nearly $233 billion worth of pharmaceutical and medicinal products.

Earlier in July, Trump sent letters to 17 pharmaceutical giants requesting they match the lower prices at which their medicines are sold in other countries, referring to this policy as "most favoured nation pricing."