Psychiatrist Compares TrumpRx Prices to Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs

Analysis finds many generic options are cheaper on Cuban's site than brand-name drugs on TrumpRx.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:56am

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A retired Albuquerque psychiatrist reviewed the medications available on President Trump's drug pricing program, TrumpRx, and compared the prices to those offered on Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs website. The analysis found that a substantial number of the brand-name drugs on TrumpRx have much cheaper generic versions available through Cuban's site, leading the psychiatrist to question whether pharmaceutical companies are exploiting TrumpRx to sell older, more expensive brand-name medications.

Why it matters

Trump has touted TrumpRx as a way to make drugs more affordable for Americans, but this analysis suggests the program may not be offering the best prices, especially for generic medications. The findings raise questions about the true intent and effectiveness of the TrumpRx program.

The details

The psychiatrist reviewed all 43 medications available on the TrumpRx website and found 20 generic versions that are significantly cheaper on the Cost Plus Drugs site. For example, the diabetes drug metformin costs $181 on TrumpRx but only $5 on Cost Plus Drugs, while the antidepressant desvenlafaxine is $200 on TrumpRx but just $11 on the competing site. The psychiatrist also noted that some weight loss drugs on TrumpRx direct users to the drug company's own discount coupon programs, which he compared to a 'your first bag of cocaine is free' ploy.

  • The analysis was conducted in March 2026, shortly after President Trump touted the TrumpRx program in his State of the Union address.

The players

Jeff Mitchell

A retired psychiatrist living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who launched the TrumpRx drug pricing program.

Mark Cuban

A businessman and Shark Tank star who founded the Cost Plus Drugs website, which sells generic medications directly to consumers at low prices.

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What they’re saying

“Am I being cynical if I suspect that pharmaceutical companies might be exploiting TrumpRx as a means of hawking their older, brand-name drugs?”

— Jeff Mitchell, Retired Psychiatrist

The takeaway

This analysis suggests the TrumpRx program may not be offering the best prices for consumers, especially when compared to alternatives like Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs that focus on providing affordable generic medications. The findings raise questions about the true intent and effectiveness of the TrumpRx program in making drugs more accessible and affordable for Americans.