Story perspectives

Senate Report Reveals Soaring Drug Prices, $177 Billion Profits

4/21/2026

Center

Sanders Exposes Drug Prices

The U.S. Senate report by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders finds drugmakers raise prices, with new drugs averaging $353,000 annually and profits reaching $177 billion in 2025.
Merck’s Keytruda now costs $210,000 and Novartis’ Kesimpta $141,000.
The report questions the administration's “most favored nation” pricing strategy.
Stacie Dusetzina, a health policy expert, criticizes pricing-deal transparency.
Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson, says list prices do not reflect actual costs.

Right

Trump's Drug Policy

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Most Favored Nation (MFN) policy aims to lower U.S. drug prices by aligning with foreign prices.
Analysts warn the policy could unintentionally favor large pharmaceutical firms while harming smaller companies.
Critics, including Midsized Biotech Alliance, say MFN may suppress innovation and boost market concentration.
Democratic lawmakers demand transparency on MFN agreements and question price reductions.
Policy debate centers on affordability versus competition in the pharmaceutical sector.

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Sanders Exposes Drug Prices

The U.S. Senate report by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders finds drugmakers raise prices, with new drugs averaging $353,000 annually and profits reaching $177 billion in 2025.
Merck’s Keytruda now costs $210,000 and Novartis’ Kesimpta $141,000.
The report questions the administration's “most favored nation” pricing strategy.
Stacie Dusetzina, a health policy expert, criticizes pricing-deal transparency.
Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson, says list prices do not reflect actual costs.

1 / 2