TrumpRx.Gov vs. Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs: Which Saves Retirees More?

Core Insights - Mark Cuban's CostPlus Drugs launched in 2022 aims to disrupt the prescription drug industry by providing a digital marketplace that reduces costs through direct purchasing [1] - President Donald Trump announced a competing platform, TrumpRx, set to launch in early 2026, which will also focus on lowering prescription drug prices [1][2] Pricing Models - Both CostPlus Drugs and TrumpRx aim to eliminate middlemen in the prescription drug supply chain to lower prices [3] - CostPlus Drugs adds a 15% markup to the direct purchase cost of over 2,300 medications, along with a $5 pharmacy charge and a $5 shipping fee [8] - TrumpRx will direct users to participating drug manufacturers' websites for brand-name prescriptions at reduced prices, but it currently has limited partnerships [4][8] Drug Selection and Coverage - As of October 1, Pfizer is the only pharmaceutical company that has agreed to terms for TrumpRx, limiting the selection to 313 drugs without generics or insurance acceptance [4] - In contrast, CostPlus Drugs accepts coverage from over two dozen insurance providers and offers thousands of generic prescriptions at significantly reduced prices [5] Cost Comparisons - The White House showcased potential savings from TrumpRx using three common Pfizer prescriptions, but these do not have generic alternatives available on CostPlus Drugs [6]