U.S. Government to Launch Affordable Generic Drug Program for Medicare Beneficiaries

The U.S. government plans to release a preliminary list of 101 generic drugs, available for no more than $2, to Medicare recipients. The initiative, expected to start in January 2027, aims to make essential medications more affordable, eliminating requirements like prior authorization.

The U.S. government plans to release a preliminary list of generic drugs available to Medicare recipients for no more than $2, according to a report by Axios citing U.S. officials.

The list, comprising 101 generic drugs, includes common prescriptions like penicillin, metformin, and lithium, as well as asthma inhalers like albuterol. Notably, these drugs will not require prior authorization or have quantity limits, as the government seeks feedback on the initial list.

The program, designed to ease medication costs for chronic conditions like high cholesterol and blood pressure, is set to launch in January 2027, per Axios. The Medicare program, serving over 67 million people, spends billions on drugs annually, with recent efforts to control costs through the Inflation Reduction Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)