U.S. President Donald Trump stated that his administration has reduced the cost of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. by 'thousands of percent', comparing prices to European markets. He noted that prices have been lowered to $20, which he believes represents a decrease of 2000-3000%.
'We are lowering their price to $20. So we are reducing, you can do the math: and that's 2000%, 3000%. It's just amazing', Trump said.
The president also cited examples of reductions from 1000% to 1400%, emphasizing that previously prices were decreased only 'by a quarter of a percent'. 'That pill which used to cost $130 now will cost 20', he summed up.
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce explained that a price reduction of more than 100% is mathematically impossible, however, he pointed out that the administration 'calculates differently'. This refers to the comparison of current prices with 'potentially inflated' ones, resulting in them appearing to be a decrease 'by hundreds of percent', but in fact, this is merely a correction of value.
American media note that this is not the first time representatives of the Trump administration have sought to explain exaggerated or incorrect figures mentioned by the president, similar instances have occurred in statements regarding inflation, migration, and foreign policy.
The claim of a reduction in drug prices in the U.S. by 'thousands of percent' following Trump's last statement has sparked simultaneous interest and skepticism. The Secretary of Commerce justifies the administration's expressions as new methods of computation, but some American media point out concerns about the credibility of these figures, highlighting previous instances of data inflation in statements from Trump.