US Drug Prices Remain High Despite Medicare Negotiations

New Medicare prices will save $6 billion annually but are still significantly higher than in other wealthy nations.

Medicare's first-ever negotiated prices for ten high-cost drugs will take effect in 2026.
Despite negotiations, US prices are more than double those in countries like Sweden and Canada.
The US will pay $17,581 for a 30-day supply of nine drugs compared to $6,725 in Sweden.
Experts cite the US's early access to new drugs and lack of generic competition as factors for higher costs.
Future Medicare negotiations aim to better balance affordability, innovation, and incentives.