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Karl Mehta@karlmehta · May 13, 2025

Big Pharma’s worst nightmare just came true: Trump and RFK Jr. exposed a decades-long scam bleeding Americans dry. The…

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Summary

Trump and RFK Jr. announced a new executive order implementing "most favored nations" drug pricing, which would tie US pharmaceutical prices to the lowest prices paid in other developed countries, potentially reducing drug costs by 59-90%. The thread argues that Americans have been subsidizing global drug development through inflated prices while other nations negotiated lower rates, and that pharmaceutical lobbying has blocked previous reform efforts.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

  1. #1

    Big Pharma’s worst nightmare just came true: Trump and RFK Jr. exposed a decades-long scam bleeding Americans dry. The room fell silent when Trump revealed why we pay 10X more than Europe for identical drugs. You won’t believe what you’re about to hear. A Thread 🧵

  2. #2

    For decades, Americans have paid the highest prescription drug prices in the world. How much higher? A breast cancer drug that costs Americans $16,000 per bottle costs just ONE-TENTH that price in Sweden. The same drug. Same factory. Same company.

  3. #3

    A common asthma drug costs nearly $500 in America but less than $40 in the United Kingdom. And that weight loss "fat shot" all the celebrities use? Americans pay 10X more than people in other developed countries. But why?

  4. #4

    Trump told a shocking story about a businessman friend who called him from London: "President, I just paid $88 for this fat drug I take. In New York, I paid $1,300. What the hell is going on?" Same box. Same plant. Same company. Identical pill.

  5. #5

    Here's where it gets interesting... Americans represent just 4% of the world's population but generate TWO-THIRDS of pharmaceutical companies' global profits. This isn't an accident. It's by design.

  6. #6

    For years, Big Pharma claimed these outrageous price differences were necessary to fund "research and development." The truth? Foreign countries strong-armed these companies into giving them rock-bottom prices. So who made up the difference? You guessed it. Americans

  7. #7

    The European Union and other nations told drug companies: "This is what we're going to pay. If you don't like it, you can't sell in our country." With no government fighting for Americans, pharmaceutical companies simply shifted the cost burden onto US patients.

  8. #8

    It was a brilliant scam that went unchallenged for decades. Why? Trump revealed the uncomfortable truth: "The drug lobby is the strongest lobby in this country." Both parties talked about lowering drug prices. Neither delivered. Until now.

  9. #9

    Trump's new executive order implements what he calls "most favored nations drug pricing." The principle is simple but revolutionary: Whatever the lowest price paid for a drug in other developed countries, that's what Americans will pay.

  10. #10

    Here's how it works: If a cancer drug sells for $100 in Australia but $1,000 in America, the US price drops to match the Australian price. Trump's estimate? Drug prices will fall by 59-90% almost immediately.

  11. #11

    But what about those "research and development" costs? Trump's solution is elegant: Other countries must pay more. No longer will Americans subsidize the world's healthcare while Europeans pay pennies on the dollar for the same medications.

  12. #12

    During the announcement, RFK Jr. revealed something stunning: "Every major Democratic leader for 20 years made this promise to the American people." Yet none delivered. Why? "Congress is controlled in so many ways by the pharmaceutical industry."

  13. #13

    RFK Jr. continued: "There's at least one pharmaceutical lobbyist for every congressman, every senator on Capitol Hill, and every member of the Supreme Court." The industry spends 3X what the next largest lobbying group spends.

  14. #14

    By comparison with other countries, the numbers are staggering: Americans spend $1,126 per capita on drugs. The British? About $240. Europeans pay less than ONE-FIFTH what Americans pay for identical medications.

  15. #15

    Trump isn't asking pharmaceutical companies to lose money. The solution is equalization: Europeans will pay more, Americans will pay less, and drug companies maintain their overall revenue. It's a redistribution of who carries the financial burden.

  16. #16

    FDA Commissioner Makary put it in perspective during the announcement: "A drug that costs $175,000 in America might cost just $10,000 in London." He called it "the most powerful executive order on pharmacy pricing and healthcare ever in the history of our nation."

  17. #17

    The administration has given pharmaceutical companies 30 days to begin implementation. If they don't comply voluntarily, Trump will use America's massive trade leverage to ensure compliance. And he'll add tariffs to countries that don't pay their fair share.

  18. #18

    Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this post, follow @karlmehta for more content on health and politics. Repost the first tweet to help more people see it: Appreciate the support.

    Karl Mehta@karlmehta · May 13, 2025

    Big Pharma’s worst nightmare just came true: Trump and RFK Jr. exposed a decades-long scam bleeding Americans dry. The room fell silent when Trump revealed why we pay 10X more than Europe for identical drugs. You won’t believe what you’re about to hear. A Thread 🧵