Navigating key healthcare policy developments
Healthcare stakeholders continue to operate in a dynamic U.S. healthcare policy environment shaped by evolving federal and state actions. Understanding the potential implications of these developments requires more than monitoring headlines. Cencora is committed to keeping our customers informed about U.S. government and legislative actions that impact our collective ability to enable patient access to the life-changing care that they depend on.
From the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program to the expansion of TrumpRx and a continued emphasis on foreign pharmaceutical pricing practices, prescription drug pricing and transparency are still in the spotlight. Here’s what you need to know about a few recent key developments.
CMS launches Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently launched its Medicare GLP-1 Bridge initiative, a pilot program that provides Medicare Part D beneficiaries with access to certain FDA-approved GLP-1 medications – Foundayo®, Wegovy® (injection and tablets), and Zepbound® (KwikPen®) – for $50 per month while the agency evaluates the effects of broader access. The program runs from July 1, 2026, through December 31, 20271, and is intended to generate additional insight into utilization, affordability, and program design considerations associated with expanding access to this category of therapies.
The launch is notable because GLP-1 medications continue to receive significant policy and market attention, particularly as stakeholders assess their implications for Medicare spending, chronic disease management, and long-term coverage policy. As questions around funding for the program going forward are top-of-mind for many, the practical impact of the initiative will depend on program participation, implementation details, and how CMS uses the resulting data to inform future decisions.
Participation in the program is automatic, so pharmacies do not need to opt in, enroll, or register for the program in any way. For additional information on the drugs that are covered, eligibility, reimbursement expectations, and other considerations, please review this information sheet or visit the CMS Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program page.
Developments in the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program
CMS has also released guidance and taken additional steps related to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (IRA MDPNP). On June 12, the agency proposed a framework to formally codify the IRA MDPNP beginning with the 2029 price applicability year.2 The proposal would establish the regulatory structure for negotiating and renegotiating prices for certain drugs covered under Medicare and outline procedures for the selection of up to 20 additional Part B and Part D drugs annually. Public comments were due August 17.
On July 16, CMS also issued draft guidance detailing how manufacturers, pharmacies, hospitals, and providers could implement the Maximum Fair Price (MFP) for selected Part B and Part D drugs beginning in 2028.3 Comments on the draft are due September 18, with final guidance expected later this year.
Together, these actions reflect the continued expansion and operationalization of the negotiation program. As implementation proceeds, stakeholders across the healthcare system must continue to watch for clarification on compliance expectations, claims processing, reimbursement workflows, and the practical effects of negotiated pricing across different sites of care.
Expansion of TrumpRx
In May 2026, the Trump administration announced the expansion of TrumpRx, adding more than 600 generic drugs to the platform – a substantial increase from the program’s prior number of drugs. By integrating offers from Cost Plus Drugs, Amazon Pharmacy, and GoodRx, this announcement positions the site as a price-comparison and consumer-navigation tool across participating dispensers, alongside existing arrangements involving branded drug pricing offers.
TrumpRx was originally launched in February 2026 with 43 branded prescription drugs. With this recent expansion, the site now features a distinct list for over 90 branded medications negotiated through Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) agreements, and a separate list for generic drugs.4
New investigations into foreign pharmaceutical pricing practices
On June 17, Senate Republicans penned a letter to the administration urging United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to initiate an investigation into foreign pharmaceutical pricing practices under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974.5 The letter specifically highlights concerns around the practices of high-income countries like Germany and Japan, arguing that many countries seek to suppress pharmaceutical prices and fail to adequately support pharmaceutical innovation.
On June 18, the Office of the USTR initiated a Section 301 investigation into Germany’s pharmaceutical pricing policies.6 According to the announcement, the investigation is intended to assess whether German drug pricing and reimbursement practices may be unfairly suppressing pharmaceutical prices outside the U.S., with potential implications for trade policy and the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. Depending on the findings, the investigation could influence future discussions regarding pharmaceutical trade measures, foreign pricing practices, and the relationship between domestic drug pricing and international reference pricing concerns.
For healthcare stakeholders, the investigation adds another layer to an already active policy environment in which trade, pricing, and market access issues are increasingly interconnected. Cencora continues to monitor these developments and assess how they may affect customers across the industry.
Taken together, these developments reflect a healthcare environment in which policy decisions can have ripple effects across pricing, access, reimbursement, and supply chain operations. Cencora remains committed to strengthening supply chain resiliency and enabling healthier futures through a more efficient and effective healthcare landscape. Through our U.S. Public Policy and Advocacy team, we actively engage with U.S. policymakers and industry stakeholders to help shape policies that support patient access, operational stability, and sustainable innovation.
By engaging on key policy issues that matter most to healthcare providers, pharmacies, and patients, and monitoring an evolving regulatory landscape, Cencora helps customers navigate change while continuing to deliver high-quality care to the communities they serve.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and reflects publicly available information at the time of writing. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or policy advice on behalf of Cencora, the U.S. government, or any entities that are mentioned herein. Because these issues continue to evolve, stakeholders should evaluate new developments as additional guidance or actions emerge.
References
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Accessed 25 Aug 2026. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/prescription-drug-coverage/medicare-glp-1-bridge.
- CMS Proposed Rule Locks in Lower Prices and Fosters Innovation for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 12 June 2026. Accessed 25 Aug 2026. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-proposed-rule-locks-lower-prices-fosters-innovation-medicare-drug-price-negotiation-program.
- Manufacturer Effectuation of MFP Draft Guidance for 2028 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 16 July 2026. Accessed 25 Aug 2026. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/manufacturer-effectuation-mfp-draft-guidance-2028-medicare-drug-price-negotiation.
- Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Expansion of TrumpRx.gov to Bring Americans Transparency and Choice on Everyday Medicines. The White House. 18 May 2026. Accessed 25 Aug 2026. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-announces-expansion-of-trumprx-gov-to-bring-americans-transparency-and-choice-on-everyday-medicines/.
- Young, Colleagues Urge Administration to Investigate Foreign Pharmaceutical Price Controls. Office of U.S. Senator Todd Young. 17 June 2026. Accessed 25 Aug 2026. Available at: https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-colleagues-urge-administration-to-investigate-foreign-pharmaceutical-price-controls/.
- USTR Announces Initiation of Section 301 Investigation of Germany’s Persistent Underpayment for Innovative Pharmaceutical Products. Office of the United States Trade Representative. 18 June 2026. Accessed 25 Aug 2026. Available at: https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/june/ustr-announces-initiation-section-301-investigation-germanys-persistent-underpayment-innovative.
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