Trump meets with Pfizer CEO amid drug pricing campaign

President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar met with Pfizer CEO Ian Read Thursday amid the administration’s campaign to get drug companies to lower prices, according to a White House spokesman. 

“The President and his Administration look forward to continuing its work with Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies to reform the policies that are driving up prescription drug prices for all Americans,” said Hogan Gidley, deputy White House press secretary. 

{mosads}They discussed the Administration’s “ongoing commitment to lowering prescription drug prices for American patients,” Gidley said. 

The meeting comes after Trump threatened the company with retaliation last week for increasing the list prices of 40 drugs. 

Pfizer then announced it would defer the increases no later than Jan. 1, or when the administration’s “blueprint” on drug prices takes effect, whichever comes first. 

The administration called the decision a win for American consumers, but critics argue it doesn’t match up with Trump’s May prediction that drug companies would soon announce massive, voluntary price decreases. 

Merck became the first company Thursday to lower prices on some drugs after the administration released its blueprint.