US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing pharmaceutical companies to cut prescription drug prices to levels comparable with those in other developed countries — a move analysts say faces legal and practical hurdles. The order sets a 30-day window for drugmakers to meet price reduction targets and warns of further action if "significant progress" is not made within six months. Trump said tariffs could be imposed on companies that fail to comply and called for price cuts ranging from 59 per cent to 90 per cent. "Everybody should equalise. Everybody should pay the same price," Trump said at a White House press briefing. The US pays the highest prices globally for many prescription drugs — often nearly triple the price paid in other high-income nations. Trump has long criticised the disparity and said the order was partly motivated by a friend who received a weight loss injection for $88 in London, while the same drug cost $1,300 in the US. The executive order revives a version of Trump's earlier "most favoured nation" pricing plan, which was blocked in court during his first term. The measure also directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ramp up enforcement against anti-competitive practices, such as patent abuse and deals with generic drugmakers that delay cheaper alternatives. White House officials said the government would consider additional measures — including direct drug importation and export restrictions — if the pharmaceutical industry does not comply. The order also calls for exploring consumer purchasing programs that offer US patients access to drugs at international prices. Legal experts warn the order could face court challenges, particularly over drug import provisions. "The order's suggestion of broader or direct-to-consumer importation stretches well beyond what the statute allows," said Paul Kim, a health policy attorney. Shares of major drugmakers rebounded Monday morning, recovering from earlier losses driven by concerns about the order's impact. Investors remain skeptical about whether the measures can be effectively implemented. Attribution: Reuters
