The launch of TrumpRx.gov — a new federal website designed to lower prescription costs — has made headlines with promises of massive savings. President Donald Trump called the initiative a “very big deal” that would help Americans get healthy while saving money.
USA Today notes that for the average consumer, the reality is more complicated. While the site offers genuine bargains on specific brand-name medications, financial analysts and health care experts warn that it might not be the cheapest option for everyone. In fact, if you aren’t careful, you could end up overpaying for medications that are available for pennies on the dollar elsewhere.
Here is what you need to know to navigate the new platform and protect your wallet.
The brand-name trap
The most critical detail about TrumpRx is that it currently focuses on brand-name drugs from a handful of major pharmaceutical companies. While these drugs are listed at discounted rates compared to their standard list prices, the site does not always account for generic equivalents.
According to an analysis by Public Citizen, nearly half of the medications on the new site have generic versions available at other pharmacies for significantly less money.
For example, the site lists Pfizer’s heartburn medication, Protonix, for $200.10. While that is a 50% discount off the list price, it is a terrible deal for most consumers. You can find the generic version (pantoprazole) at pharmacies like Walmart or Safeway for less than $16 using widely available coupons.
The site does not explicitly flag when a cheaper generic exists. As Sarah Karlin-Smith of Public Citizen noted, consumers unfamiliar with the broader market might assume the government site always offers the best price. That is not the case.
When TrumpRx is a good deal
Despite the limitations, the site does offer specific wins, particularly for lifestyle drugs or treatments that lack generic alternatives.
Entrepreneur Mark Cuban, whose company Cost Plus Drugs is a direct competitor, admitted that TrumpRx “crushed it” on fertility medications. For instance, the injectable fertility drug Cetrotide is listed at $22.50 on the government site. The same drug costs nearly $50 at Cost Plus Drugs and over $300 at major chains like CVS or Walgreens.
If you are paying cash for brand-name fertility treatments, insulin or specific proprietary medications, TrumpRx is worth checking.
The truth about weight-loss drugs
For many Americans, the biggest question surrounds popular weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. The site lists these drugs, but the savings are not unique.
- Zepbound: Listed at $299 for a single-dose vial — the same price Eli Lilly charges consumers directly.
- Wegovy: Listed at $199 for the first two months — identical to Novo Nordisk’s direct pricing.
While the site centralizes these offers, it doesn’t currently undercut the manufacturers’ own direct-to-consumer pricing. However, a separate deal announced by the administration suggests that Medicare coverage for these drugs will expand significantly by the spring or summer of 2026, with copays capped at $50 for eligible enrollees.
Who should use this site?
TrumpRx is not a replacement for health insurance. It does not process insurance claims, and you cannot use your insurance card on the site. It is designed specifically for:
- Cash payers: People without any health insurance.
- The underinsured: People with high-deductible plans who must pay thousands out-of-pocket before coverage begins.
If you have robust health insurance with low copays, your existing plan is likely to remain your cheapest option. As Dr. Benjamin Rome of Harvard Medical School explained, the site will appeal to a narrow group of patients who are exposed to full market prices.
How to shop smarter
The launch of TrumpRx adds another layer of transparency to a notoriously opaque industry by bypassing middlemen like pharmacy benefit managers. However, it should not be your only stop.
To ensure you are getting the true lowest price, follow this workflow before filling a prescription:
- Check your insurance copay first. Your existing health plan may offer a better deal than paying cash.
- Search for the generic name. Always look for the chemical name, not just the brand name.
- Compare three sources. Check the price on TrumpRx, Cost Plus Drugs and a coupon aggregator like GoodRx.
“It’s not like there’s one place that always has the lowest price,” Rome said. In this fragmented market, the only way to save consistently is to shop around.
If you have a high-deductible health plan and you want to save money, you should have a health savings account. Check out Lively HSAs.
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