In a recent article, Akerman Healthcare Practice Chair Robert Slavkin provided Healthline with his thoughts on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' recent drug price negotiations with pharmaceutical companies. DHHS negotiated lower costs on 10 drugs beginning in 2026. About nine million Medicare recipients are prescribed at least one of those medicines.

DHHS estimates Medicare enrollees will save a combined $1.5 billion in out-of-pockets costs in 2026 because of the lower costs. Slavkin told Healthline he believes the price negotiations will lower costs for enrollees but exactly how is unclear, noting that there are numerous factors – like drug rebates – that impact how much individuals pay for their prescriptions.