Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Big Pharma to Raise Prices on 350 Medicines in 2026
Big Pharma companies in the US are planning to raise the prices of about 350 medicines in 2026.
This includes important drugs like Covid vaccines and cancer treatments.
The typical increase is around 4%, but some drugs will see much bigger jumps.
At the same time, a few medicines, like some diabetes treatments, will have their prices cut.
The Trump administration has been trying to get drug companies to lower prices, but these companies say they need to raise prices to pay for research and other costs.
Some companies have agreed to lower prices for certain drugs, but they are still planning to raise prices on other medicines.
Health experts say these deals don't really help with the bigger problem of high drug costs.
US pharmaceutical companies plan to raise list prices on at least 350 branded medicines in 2026, including Covid vaccines and cancer drug Ibrance.
The typical price increase is around 4%, with some drugs seeing much larger hikes, such as a 15% increase for the Covid vaccine Comirnaty.
Manufacturers intend to cut list prices on roughly nine medicines, including a 40% reduction for diabetes drug Jardiance and related treatments.
The Trump administration has pressured drug companies to reduce costs, but companies argue that price increases are necessary to fund research and offset higher operating costs.
Pfizer is responsible for the largest number of planned increases, covering around 80 medicines and vaccines, while GSK plans to lift prices on around 20 medicines and vaccines.
- Who
- US pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and GSK
- What
- Planned price increases on 350 branded medicines in 2026
- When
- 2026
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To fund research, offset higher operating costs, and support scientific innovation
- Number of medicines affected
- 350
- Typical price increase
- 4%
- Medicines with price cuts
- 9
- Largest price cut
- 40% (Jardiance and related treatments)
- Companies with price increases
- Pfizer, GSK, others
- Key medicines affected
- Covid vaccines, Ibrance, Paxlovid
- Political pressure
- Trump administration pushing for lower prices
- Companies with price agreements
- Pfizer, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, GSK