Trump Administration Achieves Drug Price Reduction for Fertility Treatment

Sat Dec 06 2025 02:32:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Under a new agreement with EMD Serono, the Trump administration has announced a significant discount on a widely-used fertility medication, aiming to make reproductive healthcare more affordable.

The Trump administration has struck a deal with pharmaceutical company EMD Serono to reduce the cost of Gonal-f, a fertility drug essential for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The initiative aligns with Trump's pledge to enhance fertility treatment access by allowing companies to offer fertility benefits independently from medical insurance plans. Though the administration continues to face scrutiny for not fulfilling earlier promises of free IVF treatment, many in the fertility community view this move as a positive step towards making treatments more affordable for families. Further, pending approval for another drug, Pergoveris, aims to expand options for patients.

WASHINGTON (AP) — EMD Serono, a prominent drug manufacturer, has agreed to lower the price of Gonal-f, a widely utilized fertility drug, as part of a recent agreement with the Trump administration, which was announced on Thursday. This move is part of an effort to make fertility treatments, especially in vitro fertilization (IVF), more accessible and affordable for couples facing infertility challenges.

President Trump explained that the new guidance will permit employers to offer fertility benefits independently from standard medical insurance, akin to how dental and vision plans are structured. This shift represents a significant change in how fertility coverage can be offered to employees.

The announcement builds on an executive order issued by Trump earlier in the year, which aimed to reduce IVF costs, yet it has been criticized for not fully meeting his campaign promise of providing free IVF treatment. This agreement marks the third collaboration the administration has made with pharmaceutical companies to decrease drug prices in recent weeks.

The significance of Gonal-f cannot be overstated for many IVF patients, as the drug plays a crucial role in stimulating ovulation and managing the retrieval of eggs for fertilization. Typically, patients may spend thousands of dollars on a single IVF cycle, and those costs can quickly accumulate as many go through multiple cycles in hope of starting a family.

As part of the agreement, patients will be able to access the discounted drug through TrumpRx, a government portal that allows direct purchase from manufacturers. In addition, Trump announced that the Food and Drug Administration will expedite the review process for Pergoveris, another EMD Serono fertility drug currently available in Europe.

On the heels of Trump's executive commitments, many in the healthcare community and those who have undergone fertility treatments have expressed cautious optimism. Roger Shedlin, CEO of a fertility benefits company, stated that initiatives addressing drug costs will significantly affect overall IVF expenses. Families like Corinn O’Brien’s are hopeful that lowering these financial burdens will make family expansion more viable.

While the administration's efforts are deemed a step in the right direction, patients and advocates still urge for comprehensive coverage that encompasses all IVF-related costs.