Top 10 most expensive prescription drugs in the US by price and by sales volume

Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 9:00 am

Trump's Executive Order Targets High Drug Prices: A Look at the Most Expensive Medications

President Trump's recent executive order aims to slash prescription drug prices in the U.S. by implementing "most favored nations drug pricing." This means Americans would pay the same price for drugs as those in other developed countries. The order has sparked debate, particularly regarding the potential impact on the pharmaceutical industry and patient access to life-saving medications.

The article highlights the most expensive prescription drugs, both by price and sales volume. By price, the top five are primarily treatments for rare and serious conditions like metachromatic leukodystrophy (Lenmeldy at $4.25 million), hemophilia B (Hemgenix at $3.5 million), and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Elevidys at $3.2 million). These gene therapies and specialized treatments come with staggering price tags.

The article also details the top five drugs by sales volume, which represent a different segment of the market. Keytruda, an immunotherapy for various cancers, leads the pack with $25 billion in revenue in 2023. Other top-selling drugs include Eliquis (blood clot prevention), Ozempic (diabetes and weight loss), Humira (inflammatory conditions), and Biktarvy (HIV treatment). These medications are widely used and generate significant revenue for pharmaceutical companies.

Experts caution that the executive order's impact won't be immediate, as government agencies must draft the necessary rules. The order is likely to affect newer, brand-name drugs still under patent protection, including gene therapies and personalized cancer treatments. While the order aims to lower costs, concerns remain about potential impacts on pharmaceutical innovation. Some experts suggest that if drug prices are capped, efforts should be made to reduce the cost of clinical trials and drug manufacturing to maintain innovation.

BNN's Perspective: While the intent to lower drug prices is laudable, the complexity of the pharmaceutical market requires a balanced approach. Focusing solely on price controls without addressing the underlying costs of research, development, and manufacturing could stifle innovation. A comprehensive strategy that considers both price and the incentives for pharmaceutical companies to develop new treatments is crucial.

Keywords: prescription drug prices, drug prices, expensive drugs, Trump executive order, most favored nations drug pricing, Lenmeldy, Hemgenix, Elevidys, Keytruda, Eliquis, Ozempic, Humira, Biktarvy, pharmaceutical industry, drug costs, healthcare, gene therapy, cancer treatment, rare diseases, drug pricing reform.

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