Roche in Talks With US on Drug Pricing; Sets Out Pipeline and Dealmaking Ambitions

Roche is actively discussing drug pricing concerns with the US government and Department of Health and Human Services, suggesting major reforms to address high consumer costs1.

The company is considering a direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug sales model to bypass pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), whom Roche's CEO blames for driving up US drug prices13.

Roche’s CEO advocated cutting US drug prices by half by removing PBMs, describing them as middlemen who do not contribute to innovation and burden patients financially1.

Roche’s pharmaceutical unit saw 10% growth in the US for the first half of 2025, outperforming its European sales1. Key products include Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis), Hemlibra (hemophilia), and Vabysmo (eye disease)1.

Roche announced a $50 billion US investment over five years to build new drug and diagnostics manufacturing facilities, including new plants for gene therapy and obesity medications, and an AI-focused R&D hub4.

The investment is partly in response to potential new tariffs from the US administration and is expected to create 12,000 new US jobs4.

Significant plant upgrades and new facilities are planned in several states, including Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, New Jersey, Oregon, Arizona, and California4.

Roche’s drug development pipeline has recently been transformed through a series of major in-licensing deals and more rigorous R&D decision-making, aiming to raise the bar for future products2.

Sources:

1. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/roche-weighing-direct-consumer-drug-sales-ease-us-drug-pricing-woes-cut-out-pbms-ceo-says

2. https://insights.citeline.com/scrip/business/strategy/roche-highlights-pipeline-transformed-by-deals-and-raising-the-bar-LRFGVOVHFVGY3ISFKA2673G3QM/

3. https://firstwordpharma.com/story/5983488

4. https://www.manufacturingdive.com/news/roche-50-billion-us-drug-diagnostics-manufacturing/746017/