(NewsNation) — There’s good news in 2026 for seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D who rely on the priciest prescription drugs: 10 high-cost medications that treat a variety of chronic conditions will be significantly cheaper beginning Jan. 1.
The cost reductions derive from the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which directed Medicare to identify expensive prescription drugs that could be made cheaper through negotiations with pharmaceutical companies.
The 10 medications included in the first round of discounts are Eliquis, for treatment of blood clots; Enbrel, rheumatoid arthritis; Entresto, heart problems; Farxiga, diabetes; Imbruvica, cancer; Januvia, diabetes; Jardiance, diabetes; Novolog, diabetes; Stelara, Crohn’s disease; and Xarelto, blood clots.
Nearly nine million Part D beneficiaries take these drugs, according to a recent AARP analysis that suggests consumer savings could tally $1.5 billion a year. Seniors could see their cost share to purchase the drugs decrease on average about 50%, the advocacy group for older Americans said.
As the savings kick in, Part D beneficiaries will be under a yearly cap of $2,100 for out-of-pocket expenses — meaning that’s all they will pay for prescription drugs.
Fifteen additional drugs are expected to undergo similar Medicare price cuts in 2027, through negotiations.
The Medicare slate of drugs that will be reduced in price is different from the Trump administration’s broader efforts to negotiate with drug makers over the price of prescription medications. A new online website expected in 2026 will allow American consumers to buy prescription drugs directly at cost savings, the White House has said.
