President Donald Trump announced a significant pharmaceutical pricing agreement Thursday that could dramatically reduce costs for Americans seeking fertility treatments. The deal between the Trump administration and EMD Serono, described as the world's largest fertility drug manufacturer, targets key medications used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.
Major Price Reductions for Fertility Medications
Under the agreement, EMD Serono will provide substantial discounts on fertility drugs sold in the United States, including Gonal-f and Pergoveris. According to the company's statement, IVF patients will be able to purchase Gonal-f at an 84% discount from current prices. Gonal-f is used to treat infertility in both men and women.
"As a result of these actions, the per-cycle cost of drugs used in IVF will fall by an estimated 73% for American consumers, and the numbers are going to actually be very substantially higher as time goes by when it really kicks in," Trump stated during his Oval Office announcement.
Addressing Cost Barriers in Fertility Treatment
The initiative addresses significant financial barriers facing Americans seeking fertility treatments. Administration officials indicate that a typical fertility drug cycle costs between $5,000 and $6,000, with substantial variation based on individual patient needs. Currently, only approximately 30% of families have access to employer insurance coverage for these treatments.
Trump characterized inflated fertility drug prices as a primary driver of high IVF treatment costs, claiming that the procedure costs 700% more in the United States compared to other countries. The administration's approach combines direct pharmaceutical pricing negotiations with efforts to expand insurance coverage.
Expanding Insurance Coverage
Beyond the direct pricing agreement, the Trump administration is working with employers to facilitate expanded supplemental insurance coverage for fertility treatments. This dual approach aims to address both the immediate cost of medications and the broader insurance coverage gaps that limit access to fertility care.
"In the Trump administration, we want to make it easier for couples to have babies, raise children and start the families they've always dreamed about," Trump said during the announcement.
Political Context and Motivation
The president traced his focus on IVF affordability to a 2024 Alabama Supreme Court case that temporarily disrupted fertility services in the state. In their February 2024 ruling, justices determined that an 1872 Alabama law enabling wrongful death lawsuits for minor children "applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location," effectively treating frozen embryos as children under state law.
The LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine ruling temporarily halted IVF services in Alabama and created broader political controversy as states navigated implications of the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Trump credited Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) with bringing the Alabama ruling to his attention, leading to his campaign support for IVF access.
Third Pharmaceutical Pricing Deal
This agreement represents the third pharmaceutical pricing deal the Trump administration has negotiated in recent weeks, following previous arrangements with other drugmakers including AstraZeneca for Medicaid drug price reductions. The initiative reflects the administration's broader strategy of direct negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to achieve immediate price reductions for specific patient populations.
Administration officials project that the deal will help millions of U.S. women who experience difficulty conceiving access necessary medications at significantly reduced costs, potentially expanding access to fertility treatments across diverse economic demographics.
