Drug Pricing May Finally Come to a Head With Trump Speech Friday

  • Analysts don’t expect near-term impact from White House plan
  • Rebates are key to debate that has been overhang on stocks

White House Planning for Fundamental Shift in Drug System

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After more than a year of bitter rhetoric attacking pharmaceutical companies and the cost of medicines, President Donald Trump is scheduled to finally release his plans to combat drug pricing on FridayBloomberg Terminal.

The near-term implications for biotechnology and pharmaceutical stocks remain murky on Wall Street. Cowen analysts said in a research note Thursday that they expect Trump’s speech will “be relatively benign, with more drastic proposals coming at a later date or not at all.” Wells Fargo & Co.’s David Maris, meanwhile, has cautioned that calls for lower prices and greater transparency have “never been louder.