Biden names 10 drugs for Medicare price negotiations ( www.bbc.com )

President Joe Biden has announced 10 drugs that will be targeted in government price negotiations to make them more affordable for the elderly.

Mr Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act gave Medicare - the government healthcare programme for the over-65s - the power to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers for the first time.

The negotiations mean older Americans could see cheaper drug costs by 2026.

The 10 drugs include expensive diabetes, cancer and heart medications.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Biden administration said direct negotiations between the government and drug manufacturers would allow elderly Americans to get a “better deal” on prescriptions.

“For far too long, Americans have paid more for prescription drugs than any major economy,” Mr Biden said. “Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on another significant milestone in implementing President Biden’s historic law to lower health care and prescription drug costs and ushering in a new era for American seniors.”

The move is likely to face opposition from drug companies and Republican lawmakers, who have already criticised the measure.