Macron "Does Not Set" Drug Prices, France Tells U.S.

The French presidency has forcefully rejected U.S. claims that President Emmanuel Macron raised prescription medicine prices during a recent call with American officials. In a blunt statement, a spokesperson for the Élysée Palace said, "He does not set their prices." The statement clarified that drug costs in France are "regulated by the social security system and have, in fact, remained stable." The rebuttal comes after unnamed U.S. sources alleged that President Macron cited high U.S. drug prices as a reason France could charge more for its own medicines. The Élysée's response denies this characterization of the leaders' discussion. France has a strict system for regulating prescription drug costs. The government negotiates prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. This system is a cornerstone of the country's public healthcare.