TrumpRx.gov: What’s the Deal?

On February 5th, the federal government launched TrumpRx.gov, promising “the world’s lowest prices on prescription drugs.” Forty-three brand-name medications. Five companies. One shiny government URL.

Here’s what that actually means.

The Reality

TrumpRx doesn’t sell or dispense medications. It redirects you to manufacturer portals or GoodRx coupon pages - essentially GoodRx in a government costume. For many generic medications, the listed prices aren’t lower than what Direct Primary Care practices already provide.

The Numbers

• Protonix: TrumpRx $200 → generic pantoprazole ~$1/month

• Pristiq: TrumpRx $200 → generic desvenlafaxine ~$6/month

• Levoxyl: TrumpRx $36 → generic levothyroxine ~$0.90/month

For common generics, this isn’t a breakthrough. It’s often a markup wearing a discount badge.

Where It May Help

Brand-name medications without generics — GLP-1s, fertility medications, certain biologics — may offer real savings for uninsured patients paying cash.

My Perspective

At Hearthstone Family Care, I practice holistically. Medication is rarely my first-line solution — we focus on root causes, lifestyle, nutrition, and patient-centered care.

But when medication is appropriate, it’s another tool in the toolbelt. And when we use that tool, we use it wisely — often dispensing near wholesale cost, without middlemen, coupon codes, or pharmacy runarounds.

Bottom Line: Transparency is a step forward. But for many generics, Direct Primary Care has quietly been offering lower prices — and a more personal model of care for years.

Medicine shouldn’t be complicated. And it shouldn’t be marked up 200x either.