Merck’s US arm to slash IVF drug prices in Trump deal
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The news: US President Donald Trump has announced a deal with EMD Serono, the US arm of German drugmaker Merck and one of the world’s largest fertility treatment manufacturers, to lower the price of commonly used IVF medications.
He also unveiled new federal guidance encouraging employers to offer fertility benefits separately from major health plans.
The agreement will see fertility medications Gonal-f, Ovidrel and Cetrotide sold directly to consumers at discounts of up to 84% through TrumpRx.gov from early 2026. As part of the deal, EMD Serono will receive tariff relief in exchange for investing in US manufacturing.
The context: The moves follow a February executive order to reduce IVF costs and come after Trump retreated from a campaign pledge to mandate full IVF coverage.
It also follows backlash to an Alabama court ruling last year that declared frozen embryos are children, halting IVF services in the state and forcing Republicans to confront tensions between anti-abortion stances and access to fertility treatment.
The guidance allows companies to offer fertility coverage like dental or vision benefits, but does not mandate or subsidise participation.
The sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, White House
