Trump Administration Works on Agreement to Significantly Lower IVF Drug Prices

Washington – Major Deal on IVF Drug Prices

President Donald Trump and his administration have reached an agreement with EMD Serono, a prominent fertility drug manufacturer, to significantly lower the costs of IVF medications.

The drug Gonalev is being sold in the U.S. at a substantial discount, which the White House claims reflects “796% of the transaction price.” Additionally, low- or moderate-income women purchasing through a website set to launch in January will receive an “additional discount totaling 2,320% of the transaction price.”

EMD Serono has noted in a press release that, as part of the agreement, it will offer direct-to-consumer sales of its entire range of IVF treatments—including Gonal f® (follitropin alfa injection), Ovidrel® (choriogonadotropin alfa injection), and Cetrotide® (injectable cetrorelix acetate)—to qualified patients with prescriptions. When used together in standard IVF protocols, patients can benefit from an 84% discount off the list price.

During a press conference held in the Oval Office, President Trump was accompanied by EMD Serono Vice President Libby Horn, Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Representative Richard Hudson (R-North Carolina). He attributed the deal’s success to a Most Favored Nation Executive Order that was enacted earlier this year.

Trump pointed out that an IVF cycle can cost upwards of $25,000, with about 20% of that cost attributed to popular fertility drugs, which can reach as high as $5,000 per cycle.

“For example, one widely used fertility drug regimen exceeds $5,000 per cycle. It’s noteworthy that around 70% of employers don’t provide insurance that covers IVF, mainly because of these unaffordable prices,” he stated.

“As a result, most couples facing fertility challenges end up covering these costs entirely on their own. But that’s just not feasible,” he added.

A White House memorandum mentions that the agreement has the potential to save patients up to $2,200 per cycle for fertility drug treatments.

Moreover, President Trump highlighted that the Food and Drug Administration has begun a fast-tracked review of Pergoveris, another EMD Serono medication currently available in Europe.

He elaborated, “If this drug gets approved, it will directly compete with the more expensive options dominating the U.S. market, leading to a significant cost reduction for other drugs.”

According to EMD Serono, Pergoveris could be a groundbreaking treatment for women undergoing ovarian stimulation during assisted reproductive technology cycles. Upon approval, it would be the first product combining recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone and recombinant human luteinizing hormone, which together are designed to promote follicular development during ovulation. Pergoveris also utilizes Gonal-f’s well-established Redi-ject® pen technology for fewer injections, potentially enhancing patient experience and lowering overall costs.

Additionally, President Trump mentioned, “EMD Serono has committed to setting all future products sold in the U.S. at most-favored-nation prices.”

Furthermore, Trump stated that his administration is allowing insurance companies to provide “fertility treatment-specific supplemental insurance plans,” similar to offerings for dental and vision care.