WASHINGTON (AP) — EMD Serono, a drugmaker, will decrease the cost of a common fertility medication through an agreement with the Trump administration, announced by President Trump on Thursday. This announcement came alongside new federal guidelines designed to encourage employers to offer fertility coverage.
The guidelines will permit companies to provide fertility benefits separately from primary medical insurance plans, similar to how dental and vision plans are currently offered. This marks a significant step in Trump's approach to making fertility treatments more accessible, although it falls short of his previous promise to make IVF treatment completely free.
Trump's announcement provides an initial look at how he plans to support families dealing with infertility following his executive order earlier this year aimed at making in vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable. This deal is the third arrangement his administration has entered with pharmaceutical companies to reduce drug prices in recent weeks.
EMD Serono’s Gonal-f is among the medications commonly prescribed to individuals undergoing IVF; these treatments often involve hormonal therapies to stimulate ovulation. Such drugs can be financially burdensome, costing patients thousands of dollars per IVF cycle, with many patients needing multiple cycles.
Trump stated that the discounted drug will be available through TrumpRx, a government platform allowing patients to purchase medications directly from manufacturers. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration is collaborating with EMD Serono to expedite the approval of another fertility drug, Pergoveris, currently offered in Europe.
This announcement follows Trump's previous commitments during his campaign, where he pledged to ensure the government or insurance companies would cover all IVF-related costs. This pledge gained traction after concerns emerged regarding access to IVF in light of restrictive reproductive rights legislation fueled by abortion policy changes.
Industry leaders and individuals affected by infertility have expressed optimism regarding these initiatives. Roger Shedlin, CEO of fertility benefits firm WIN, commented that any initiative addressing drug costs positively impacts the financial aspects of fertility cycles.
Furthermore, individuals like Corinn O’Brien, who experienced IVF herself, highlighted the significant impact lower drug costs can have on families trying to conceive, suggesting that more employer-supported fertility services could present vital opportunities for those wishing to expand their families.
