Dr. Oz’s Confusing Math on Trump’s Drug Price Cuts Sparks Criticism

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the current administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, faced backlash after a perplexing explanation regarding former President Donald Trump’s claim that he reduced prescription drug prices by as much as 1,500 percent. The comments, made during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on March 15, 2024, raised eyebrows and highlighted significant inconsistencies in his mathematical reasoning.

During the segment, anchor Kristen Welker pressed Oz on the feasibility of Trump’s assertion. She noted that a 400 percent price cut would effectively render drugs free, prompting her to question whether such a claim was realistic. Oz’s response suggested a fundamental misunderstanding of basic arithmetic principles, as he attempted to justify Trump’s statement.

Oz explained, “The president does the calculation by saying, ‘OK, if a drug was $100 and you reduce it to $50, it’s 100 percent cheaper because you’re taking $50 off and leaving you with only $50.” This interpretation, however, fails to account for the actual implications of a 1,500 percent reduction. To illustrate, slashing a price of $100 by 1,500 percent would result in a negative cost of $1,400, indicating that patients would be paid to take the medication rather than the opposite.

Despite Welker’s attempts to clarify the numbers, Oz continued with his explanation, citing examples of drug price reductions from $200 or $240 down to $10. He shifted the focus of the conversation to a broader inquiry about the timing of such price reductions, rather than addressing the mathematical errors in Trump’s claim.

This incident is particularly concerning given Oz’s position in the federal health administration. While he is a board-certified physician, he has a controversial history of promoting unverified health claims. His recent comments have drawn attention to the administration’s approach to health policy under Trump.

Critics have noted that Oz’s miscalculations may reflect a larger trend within the Trump administration regarding health and scientific integrity. Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has previously made headlines for asserting that vaccines cause autism and advocating for the removal of fluoride from drinking water.

Oz’s interview serves as a reminder of the critical need for accuracy in public health discussions, especially from individuals in significant government roles. As the conversation about drug pricing continues, clarity in communication and understanding of the implications of such policies remain essential for public trust and health outcomes.