Is it a gimmick or money-making? Trump's low-cost drug website, with family-related companies suspected of profiting, and 40% of voters being manipulated

On February 5 local time, Trump launched the "TrumpRx" low-cost drug website, claiming it would save Americans a lot of money, but in reality, it only provides coupons and does not directly sell drugs. Initially, it covers 43 medicines from five pharmaceutical companies. Behind it is a "price reduction for tariff exemption" deal between Trump and the pharmaceutical companies. However, 85% of Americans have health insurance, and experts have exposed this as a "gimmick," with some patients ending up spending more out of pocket.

More controversially, the Democrats pointed out that Trump's family may have profited through the affiliated company BlinkRx, and the issue of drug prices concerns the voting intentions of 40% of voters in the midterm elections. This seemingly people-friendly "drug god show" is actually all about election calculations. Trump isn't acting as a "drug god," he's clearly using the health anxiety of Americans as an election tactic! It's worth noting that American drug prices are 2.78 times higher than those of 33 other countries, with an average annual expenditure of $1,564 per person on medicine, more than twice as much as in the UK. Yet, his previous attempt to bind to international low prices under the "most-favored-nation policy" was already stopped by the court.

Now, creating a coupon website bypasses the old problems of pharmaceutical industry lobbying and opaque pricing, without touching the complicated health insurance system. The 85% of people with health insurance can hardly benefit. More ironically, the family-related companies might also take the opportunity to make money. This isn't a people-friendly move; it's a smart political marketing campaign. Pharmaceutical companies in the US spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year lobbying lawmakers, and the problem of high drug prices has become deeply entrenched. Trump's performance might win votes, but it can't cure the persistent problem of expensive medicines for Americans!

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856361504403464/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.