Welcome to the Week in Review.

NEW POLL: GOP Voters Overwhelmingly Back Medicare Negotiation

A major new poll from Republican polling firm Fabrizio Ward confirms what patients have long known: Voters overwhelmingly support bold action to lower drug prices, and their views are driven by their lived experiences. The survey shows 89% of American voters, including 89% of Trump voters, say prescription drug prices are too high. Nearly 60% have struggled to afford their medications, and a staggering 86% of all voters support Medicare negotiating prices for all prescription drugs by capping prices no higher than what other wealthy nations pay. Support for negotiation jumps to 72% among Republicans, while favorability for pharma is underwater among Trump voters at -43. With Republicans gaining 20 points on the generic ballot when they back Medicare negotiation, the takeaway is clear: Defending Medicare negotiation is not just good policy – it’s good politics. — [Arnold Ventures]

Pharma’s Record-Breaking Lobbying Spend

Big Pharma is spending more than ever to block reforms and protect its monopoly pricing power. PhRMA, the industry’s top lobbying group, reported a record $12.9 million in federal lobbying expenditures in Q1 of 2025 – the most it’s ever spent in a single quarter – to roll back provisions of the 2022 prescription drug law, secure carveouts like the EPIC Act, and keep prices high for patients. The surge in spending also reflects mounting pressure over Trump’s tariff threats, with companies like Pfizer and Eli Lilly sharply increasing their own lobbying budgets and hiring Trump-linked lobbyists to shape policy behind closed doors. Lilly nearly doubled its Q1 spending compared to last year, hitting $3.4 million, while Pfizer jumped to $4.2 million. As one in three Americans struggles to afford their prescriptions, the industry’s multimillion-dollar blitz to preserve its power speaks volumes. — [Endpoints, Sludge, POLITICO, POLITICO] 

‘Most Favored Nation’ Pricing Floated For 2nd Time

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) policy that would tie Medicare drug prices to those paid in other wealthy countries, where prices are often dramatically lower. Originally introduced during President Trump’s first term and blocked in court, the MFN proposal would prevent Medicare from paying more than the lowest price charged for a drug in peer nations, adjusted for economic factors. While the concept has some support, it remains deeply unpopular with pharmaceutical companies. Trump’s team is said to be weighing options for reviving the policy through a new Medicare demonstration model or legislation. No formal proposal has been released yet, but recent comments and documents suggest the idea is gaining traction once again. — [STAT News, Reuters, BioSpace, RAND]

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