Senator Tester announces lower prescription drug costs for Montanans | Montana News

HAMILTON, Mont. – At a press conference in Hamilton on Thursday, Sen. Jon Tester announced that Montanans can expect lower prescription drug costs due to the Inflation Reduction Act. Nonstop Local's Taylor Richardson joined the press conference to bring you more details on how these lower costs will benefit senior Montanans and health care providers.

Tester announced that Medicare will negotiate prices on ten prescription drugs, potentially reducing costs for nearly 25,000 Montana residents.

Many Montanans struggle with rising drug costs, which often leads to skipping treatments or resorting to less effective medications.

Dr. Kathleen Harder-Brouwer of Ravali Family Medicine highlighted the challenges facing rural physicians: “That’s one of the most difficult aspects of being a rural physician: knowing that there are better treatment options, but they’re virtually unavailable,” she said.

At the press conference, Ivan and Jeff Grismer of the Bitterroot Valley spoke about their difficulties in affording Jeff's type 2 diabetes medication, Jardiance.

“It's not just $140 for us, but the total drug costs $1,500, and the Medicare plan costs $1,300,” Ivan Grismer said.

The Inflation Reduction Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services (MHS) to negotiate drug prices, with the goal of saving hundreds of dollars for Montana's nearly 25,000 senior citizens who have Medicare insurance.

“Medicare will save a total of $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs nationwide if these prices are implemented,” Tester said.

Here is a breakdown of estimated cost savings for some drugs:

1. Eliquis (blood clots, stroke prevention)

• Price 2023: $521 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: 231 USD

• Save 56%

• Used by 10,246 Montana policyholders

2. Jardiance (type 2 diabetes)

• Price 2023: $573 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: 197 USD

• Save 66%

• Used by 3,175 Montana students

3. Xarelto (blood clots, stroke prevention)

• Price 2023: $517 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: 197 USD

• Save 62%

• Used by 4,486 Montana students

4. Januvia (type 2 diabetes)

• Price 2023: $527 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: 113 USD

• Save 79%

• Used by 1,928 Montana students

5. Farxiga (type 2 diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease)

• Price 2023: $556 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: $178.50

• Save 68%

• Used by 991 Montana enrollees

6. Entresto (heart failure)

• Price 2023: $628 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: 295 USD

• Save 53%

• Used by 858 Montana enrollees

7. Enbrel (autoimmune diseases)

• Price 2023: $7,106 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: $2,355

• Save 67%

• Used by 197 Montana students

8. Imbruvica (certain types of cancer)

• Price 2023: $14,934 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: 9,319 USD

• Save 38%

• Used by 83 Montana students

9. Stelara (Crohn’s disease)

• Price 2023: $13,836 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: $4,695

• Save 66%

• Used by 62 Montana students

10. Various insulins (Fiasp, NovoLog)

• Price 2023: $495 (30-day supply)

• 2026 negotiated price: 119 USD

• Save 76%

• Used by 2,759 Montana students

The reduced drug prices will take effect at the beginning of 2026. For the years 2027 and 2028, 15 drugs are negotiable each year, and 20 drugs are planned for 2029 and each subsequent year.