The negotiations, which begin Thursday, could meet fierce opposition from drugmakers, experts say. The final negotiated prices will go into effect in 2026.
Pharmaceutical companies are due to receive by Thursday the U.S. government's opening proposal for what are expected to be significant discounts on 10 of its high-cost medicines, an important step in the Medicare health program's first ever price negotiations.
Starting April 1, state employees in North Carolina will no longer have insurance coverage for costly weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound.
By tapping the FTC, the Biden administration is hoping to send a message to drug companies that any moves to unfairly establish monopolies — and cost consumers money — will not be tolerated.