Pfizer Leads New Wave Of 2026 US Drug Price Hikes Despite Trump’s Drug Cost Crackdown: Report

• More medicines are slated for price hikes in 2026, with increases tracking around recent inflation levels.
• Only a few drugs are seeing price cuts as they are largely tied to government-negotiated pricing.
• Additional changes are likely in January, the peak period for annual drug price updates.

Pfizer is reportedly leading a new wave of planned U.S. drug price increases for 2026, with the company set to raise list prices on around 80 medicines even as the White House steps up pressure on drugmakers to curb costs.

Most of Pfizer’s planned hikes are below 10%, though Comirnaty is set for a 15% increase. The company’s average list price rise for innovative medicines and vaccines will be below the overall inflation rate to support research and rising business costs, Reuters reported, citing data from research firm 3 Axis Advisors.

Price Increases Outnumber Cuts

There are more drugs on the list of planned price increases for 2026 than at the same time last year, when companies were planning raises on more than 250 medicines. The median planned increase is around 4%, in line with 2025, and is based on list prices before any rebates or discounts.

Drugmakers also plan a limited set of list price cuts. Nine medications are anticipated to be cut back. A 40% or more decrease is slated for Boehringer Ingelheim’s diabetes treatment Jardiance. Eli Lilly, which markets Jardiance along with Boehringer Ingelheim, was also involved in the pricing actions based on lower government negotiated prices for 2026 Medicare prices, according to the Reuters report. 

GSK Joins Price-Rise List 

European drugmaker GSK is set to raise prices of about 20 drugs and vaccines by 2% to 8.9%. The company said the increases are necessary to maintain scientific innovation.

January is the top month for drugmakers to make annual price adjustments, indicating that more list price increases and selective decreases may be on the way as the industry tries to find a balance on pricing that makes sense politically and publicly.

Trump Deals With Major Drugmakers

The planned price increases come amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to lower U.S. prescription drug costs to levels paid in other wealthy nations. The government earlier this month widened “most-favored-nation” pricing deals with big drug companies, taking to 14 the number that have agreed to them so far. 

Firms that have signed on include Pfizer, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis and GSK, among others. The agreements cover some drugs in the Medicaid program and a government-backed direct-to-patient website.

How Did Stocktwits Users React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for Pfizer was ‘bearish’ amid ‘low’ message volume.

One user said, “Going higher. Good upside in 2026.  Today’s move up is the start.”

Pfizer’s stock has risen 1% so far in 2025.

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Share

·

Add us on