By [Your Name] | Updated June 2, 2025

At a White House event on Monday, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices in the U.S.—but not without making a controversial claim. According to Trump, other countries are the reason Americans pay more for their medications.

“We were subsidizing others’ healthcare,” Trump said. “They pay a small fraction for the same drug. The European Union has been brutal. But we’re not going to tolerate profiteering and price gouging anymore.”

It’s a powerful statement, but experts say the facts simply don’t support it.

THE CLAIM:

Trump argues that the U.S. is essentially “subsidizing” cheaper drug prices in countries like those in the EU by paying many times more for the same medications.

THE FACTS: It’s a U.S. System Problem, Not a Foreign One

Yes, Americans pay more for prescription drugs. In fact, much more.

A 2024 RAND Corporation report found that U.S. drug prices were, on average, 2.78 times higher than those in 33 other high-income countries. Brand-name drugs account for most of the gap. The U.S. represented a massive 62% of global drug sales—but only 24% of actual drug volume.

So why the huge difference? Experts say it’s not because other countries are exploiting the U.S., but because of how America’s fragmented pricing system works.

“There are structural differences in the way that we price drugs in the United States,” said Mariana Socal, a health policy expert at Johns Hopkins. “Those differences are what drive the price gap.”

How Drug Pricing Works in the U.S. vs. Abroad

In most countries, a single national agency negotiates drug prices on behalf of everyone. That gives them enormous leverage. In the U.S., by contrast, pricing is negotiated separately by dozens of private insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—a setup that weakens bargaining power and drives up costs.

“Anything that increases negotiating power—like covering more people—puts downward pressure on prices,” explained Courtney Yarbrough, a health policy professor at Emory University.

This isn’t new. It’s the reason drug companies often push higher prices in the U.S. while accepting lower profits elsewhere. A smaller margin overseas is better than no access at all.

What Does Trump’s Executive Order Actually Do?

Trump’s order sets a 30-day deadline for drugmakers to voluntarily lower prices in the U.S. If they don’t, a new “most favored nation” pricing rule would be drafted, tying U.S. drug prices to the lowest prices in similarly developed countries.

It sounds tough, but it’s unclear how much it will affect people with private insurance, since the federal government’s control mainly extends to Medicare and Medicaid.

And no—if U.S. prices drop, other countries won’t automatically start paying more. Experts say those countries may instead cut quiet deals or negotiate steeper discounts behind closed doors.

“We’re not in a static global pharmaceutical market,” Yarbrough added.

Why Drug Prices Stay High: It’s Not Just About Foreign Nations

The real story behind high drug prices in the U.S. has more to do with corporate incentives and market exclusivity. Manufacturers, PBMs, and wholesalers all benefit financially from higher list prices. Many companies also use patents strategically to delay cheaper generics from entering the market.

“There are no saints in this industry,” said Geoffrey Joyce, health policy director at USC’s Schaeffer Center. “Everyone makes more money off of higher list prices, so they keep pushing them up.”

While Trump threatened investigations into Big Pharma at the same press event, he also offered a surprisingly friendly defense of the industry—blaming other nations for their pricing tactics instead.

BOTTOM LINE:

The U.S. isn’t subsidizing other countries’ healthcare. Americans pay more for prescription drugs largely because of how the U.S. market is structured, not because of any unfair pressure from Europe or elsewhere. Trump’s executive order may aim to tackle the issue, but blaming other countries misses the mark.

Source: AP News – FACT FOCUS: Trump blames other countries for high US drug prices. Experts say it’s not their fault

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DENVER, CO — In a powerful effort to build trust around vaccines in a historically Black community, local parents and healthcare advocates in Denver came together to share their personal stories about flu shots. But after years of work, their voices were silenced before their impact could even be measured.

The federally funded project, backed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was abruptly shut down by the Trump administration — cutting off a study that many hoped could be a model for tackling vaccine hesitancy.

A Grassroots Effort to Build Trust

The initiative was led by pediatrician Dr. Joshua Williams at Denver Health, who teamed up with the nonprofit Center for African American Health. Their goal was simple but powerful: use storytelling to encourage flu vaccinations by sharing real-life experiences from within the community.

Over two years, volunteers attended workshops, shared personal journeys, and worked with professionals to turn their stories into short, heartfelt videos. These stories were then sent as text messages to 200 families served by two local clinics.

In one video, a mother shared how getting her first flu shot with her daughter marked a step in reclaiming her independence. In another, a grandmother reflected on missing a vaccine appointment — a mistake that led to her grandson being hospitalized on his fourth birthday.

Chantyl Busby, a local mom and community adviser to the project, said the initiative made her feel seen. “For someone like me, from the Black community who income-wise is on the lower end, we don’t often have a voice,” she said. “Having this funding taken away sends a horrible, horrible message.”

Canceled Before Results Could Be Measured

The study’s cancellation means no one will ever know if the videos influenced vaccine decisions. Years of community engagement and NIH funding went down the drain — and the researchers’ careers may be impacted, too.

Dr. Williams, who regularly talks to hesitant parents, had hoped the project would offer a scalable solution for addressing vaccine doubts — especially as the U.S. faces its worst pediatric flu season in 15 years, with at least 216 children dead.

“We need to understand what is creating this challenge to vaccines and why,” said infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm. “We are entering a scientific dark age.”

More Urgency, Less Support

The need for vaccine trust-building has never been greater. Measles and whooping cough cases are on the rise, largely driven by unvaccinated children. Yet federal support for public health education is shrinking, and vaccine hesitancy research is being deprioritized.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly cast doubt on vaccines despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting their safety. On top of that, Trump administration policies have created uncertainty around COVID-19 vaccine availability this fall.

A Doctor’s Mission Continues

Despite the setback, Dr. Williams isn’t giving up. He’s asked for permission to use some of the community-made videos in his clinic — even if he can’t measure their broader impact.

He often tells parents that his own kids are vaccinated. He also shares stories from his 95-year-old grandmother, who still remembers the fear of polio before the vaccine era.

“We’ve lost the collective memory of what it’s like to live with these diseases,” Williams said. “It’s going to take a community-wide voice to remind those in power why infection prevention and vaccine education matter.”

Source: AP News – A community rallied to share flu shot experiences. Then the government stopped the study

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A Mother’s Heartbreaking Story

At just 18 days old, Theto Ngobeni underwent her first operation to insert a shunt in her brain, a procedure necessitated by hydrocephalus, a condition caused by a listeriosis infection her mother contracted during pregnancy. Now seven years old, Theto has endured six surgeries to replace her shunt due to blockages and infections.

Her family has paid a heavy price. The mounting medical bills depleted their insurance, forcing them to sell their home and face ongoing debts.

“We still owe the hospital and the bank a lot of money,” says Theto’s mother, Montlha, who also had to undergo a double hip replacement at just 37 due to the same listeriosis infection. “It’s very difficult, and we are on our own. No one is helping us.”

The Devastating Impact of Listeriosis

Listeriosis, caused by listeria bacteria, is a foodborne disease that disproportionately affects vulnerable groups like infants, the elderly, and pregnant women. Pregnant women can pass the infection to their unborn children, potentially leading to severe brain, kidney, or heart issues.

From January 2017 to mid-2018, South Africa experienced the largest recorded listeriosis outbreak in the world, with over 1,000 people infected. Tragically, at least 216 people lost their lives, including 93 newborns and nine children aged 14 and under, according to the South African Department of Health.

Infants exposed in utero, like Theto, now live with lifelong health challenges such as cerebral palsy and other neurological complications.

The Link to Contaminated Foods

In March 2018, South African health officials traced the outbreak to ready-to-eat meat products, mainly polony, produced at Enterprise Foods, a subsidiary of Tiger Brands, the nation’s largest food producer. The contaminated products, likely sold for over a year, were manufactured at a facility in Polokwane.

Tiger Brands temporarily closed three facilities, including Polokwane, Germiston, and Pretoria, and recalled its ready-to-eat meats. The company promised to address “valid claims” but denied liability.

Seven Years, No Resolution

Despite compelling evidence linking Tiger Brands to the outbreak, a class-action lawsuit representing Montlha and over 1,000 plaintiffs remains unresolved nearly seven years later.

The plaintiffs argue they contracted listeriosis and suffered harm due to contaminated Tiger Brands products. However, the company maintains that “liability has not yet been determined.”

“While the legal process has been long and arduous, we remain committed to resolving the listeriosis class-action lawsuit as soon as possible, particularly for the victims,” Tiger Brands told CNN.

Thami Malusi, a senior associate at Richard Spoor Incorporated Attorneys (RSI), the firm representing the plaintiffs, is optimistic the case could go to trial this year. Settlement talks are progressing, but RSI continues to prepare for trial.

Global Comparisons: Justice Delayed in South Africa

For context, a 2022 listeriosis outbreak in the United States linked to deli meats sickened 61 people and caused 10 deaths. Boar’s Head, the brand responsible, has already begun facing lawsuits and issuing apologies.

Bill Marler, a renowned foodborne illness attorney, believes that if the South African outbreak had occurred in the US, damages could have reached $1–2 billion. In South Africa, Tiger Brands could face significantly less: around 2 billion rand ($106 million).

“It was clear in 2018 that the cause was the Tiger Brands plant and its polony,” Marler said. “Seven years later, victims still have nothing. That’s a travesty.”

The Evidence Against Tiger Brands

The case hinges on genetic testing from South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). Using whole genome sequencing, NICD identified the outbreak strain in Enterprise Foods’ products and Polokwane factory, matching it to most infected patients.

“This is like DNA fingerprinting,” explained Dr. Juno Thomas of NICD. “We compared bacteria from patients, food, and the factory and found conclusive matches.”

Tiger Brands’ own tests corroborated these findings. Still, the company has accused NICD of withholding data, which it claims has delayed resolution. RSI disputes this, asserting that all necessary evidence has been provided.

“Tiger Brands could have settled long ago,” Malusi said. “Instead, they’ve been obstructive.”

Calls for Accountability

Victims continue to plead for Tiger Brands to take responsibility.

“Our innocent kids are struggling because of something they didn’t even eat,” said Montlha. “Tiger Brands owes us an apology and compensation.”

Nthabiseng Ramanamane, another plaintiff, contracted listeriosis during pregnancy, allegedly after eating contaminated polony. Her son, Onkarabile, was born two months premature with cerebral palsy.

Now seven, Onkarabile requires constant care, special diets, and cannot perform basic tasks. “I trusted their products. I thought they were safe,” Ramanamane said. “Now my son’s life has been stolen, and my own is in ruins.”

Final Plea

As the lawsuit drags on, victims like Montlha and Ramanamane live with the daily consequences of an avoidable tragedy. They want Tiger Brands to “do the right thing.”

“It’s time for them to show remorse, take accountability, and provide justice for the families they’ve devastated,” said Ramanamane.

A Call for Change

This case has become a grim reminder of the importance of food safety and corporate accountability. For families like Theto’s and Onkarabile’s, justice is long overdue. Their fight is not just about compensation—it’s about acknowledgment, responsibility, and ensuring such negligence never happens again.

Source

The post Innocent Lives, Lasting Consequences: The Cost of Foodborne Negligence appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.