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Pharmaceutical manufacturers - many are attempting to block the federal government's effort to control drug prices - say the high costs support research and development and point out that Americans get new treatments first.

The retailer's USA Drug pharmacy allegedly began selling commonly-prescribed generic drugs to its uninsured customers at low prices, but charged Medicare and Medicaid much higher prices for the same drug.

The Biden administration released draft guidance on a new program that allows Medicare prescription drug plan enrollees to pay out-of-pocket drug costs in monthly installments beginning in 2025.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also indicates that vaccines, including boosters, will continue to be covered.

The German pharma giant is the latest company to sue the feds over the new Medicare plan, leaving many industry experts wondering if this fight is headed to the Supreme Court.

However, it's likely the upcoming Medicare drug price negotiations will have some spillover effect, as the prices are likely to become a new ceiling for other insurers as well, suggests a new AARP report.