Millions of Americans struggling with infertility could soon get a financial break. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that common fertility drugs used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) will be sold at dramatically lower prices through a new platform called TrumpRx, set to launch in January 2026.
Big savings on fertility drugs
Under the deal, three IVF drugs made by EMD Serono—Gonal-F, Ovidrel, and Cetrotide—could be cut by more than 70%. Currently, these medications typically cost around $5,000 per IVF cycle.
“As part of this agreement, EMD Serono will list their fertility drugs online at TrumpRx.gov at very, very heavily reduced prices — prices that you won’t even believe,” Trump said. He also highlighted that EMD Serono is the world’s largest fertility drug manufacturer.
The deal is part of a broader push to make IVF more affordable. Trump and administration officials are also encouraging employers to offer better IVF coverage for their employees.
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Incentives for manufacturers
In return for the discount, EMD Serono will receive a reprieve from certain tariffs in exchange for investing in U.S. manufacturing and research. “We are committed to working with the U.S. administration to add value over the long term, ensuring that our patients and customers continue to benefit from our innovations,” said Merck KGaA CEO Belén Garijo.
The administration also indicated that the company might bring another fertility medicine to the U.S., possibly receiving faster FDA review as part of the deal.
Encouraging employer coverage
Trump said he is promoting elective add-on insurance plans, similar to dental or vision coverage, to help employees access IVF. However, employers are not required to offer coverage, and there is no government mandate for free IVF.
Previously, Trump had promised universal free IVF coverage for those seeking it, a goal that the new plan does not fully achieve. IVF treatment can cost between $20,000 and $30,000 per cycle, and drug costs are only part of that expense.
In 2024, roughly half of companies with 500 or more employees covered IVF in their healthcare plans, compared with fewer smaller companies. Administration officials said they expect more employers to add IVF benefits because it could help them compete for talent, especially as about 60% of women aged 30 to 44 get health insurance through their employer.
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Limits and questions remain
Some reproductive medicine doctors and advocates are cautiously optimistic. Dr. Serena Chen of CCRM Fertility said the announced 70%-plus discount is “super exciting,” but she noted that other manufacturers, like Organon and Ferring, also produce key IVF drugs.
Dr. David Sable, a reproductive endocrinologist, highlighted potential hurdles. Recent layoffs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eliminated a team that tracks assisted fertility procedures, which could make it harder for families to get successful IVF outcomes even with cheaper drugs.
“If you make IVF free tomorrow, you need an infrastructure that can actually take care of all these patients,” Sable said. “We need innovation, automation, and risk management.”
What this means for families
While the Trump administration’s move won’t cover all IVF costs or guarantee universal insurance coverage, it could make the process significantly more affordable for many Americans. With the TrumpRx platform and potential employer coverage, millions of couples facing infertility may get a better chance to start a family without breaking the bank.
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