WXOW

By Chandler Brindley

WASHINGTON D.C. (WXOW) - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota took part in an announcement Thursday about price reductions for 10-prescription drugs subject to Medicare negotiations.

She took part in the announcement Thursday because Medicare's ability to negotiate prices became possible after provisions based on Klobuchar's legislation to end the ban on negotiating prices were signed into law in 2022.

“This is a game changer. A game changer for our country. A game changer for something that should have never happened in the first place and that was that we have for years now been operating under a 20 year ban on negotiation of any prices under Medicare,” Klobuchar said.

Klobuchar laid out what this does in terms of price for those receiving these medications.

“Seniors are going to save well over a billion dollars just from these first ten drugs,” she said. “They are blockbuster drugs that 8.8 million seniors use every single year. That is what we're dealing with. In Minnesota alone it's 120 thousand.”

The ten prescription drugs on this list are part of the first round subject to negotiations according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services

- Januvia: 79%

- Fiasp/NovoLog: 76%

- Farxiga: 68%

- Enbrel: 67%

- Jardiance: 66%

- Stelara: 66%

- Xarelto: 62%

- Eliquis: 56%

- Entresto: 53%

- Imbruvica: 38%

Senator Klobuchar said the centers for Medicare and Medicaid will publish its list of the next 15-drugs subject to negotiation by February 1, 2025.