A bold promise to cut prescription costs may sound good, but advocates warn the details matter for vulnerable communities.

In a sweeping announcement that could affect millions of Latino families struggling with healthcare costs, President Donald Trump stated he will sign an executive order on Monday to cut prescription drug prices in the U.S. by as much as 80%. The order, he claimed, is “one of the most important executive orders in American history.”

Trump’s proposed policy, called the “Most Favored Nation” pricing strategy, would require the U.S. to pay the same lowest price for medications that other countries pay—potentially reducing costs that have historically been five to ten times higher in the U.S. than abroad.

“For years, our community has been choosing between buying medicine and paying rent,” said Maria López, a health advocate in East Los Angeles. “This could be a game-changer if it truly results in lower prices at the pharmacy.”

Trump promised that the change would save the country trillions of dollars and significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for everyday Americans, including seniors and low-income families who rely on Medicare.

The Latino community—many of whom face higher rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma—could benefit significantly from lower prescription prices. With Latinos representing nearly 20% of the U.S. population, any effort to improve affordability of essential medications is especially relevant.

However, the details of how the policy will be implemented remain unclear. So far, there has been no official release of the executive order text, and key regulatory agencies like the FDA and CMS have not provided guidance.

In addition to cutting costs, Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports within two weeks to boost domestic drug manufacturing. He also signed a separate order to streamline permits for building U.S.-based facilities that produce prescription medications and their ingredients.

“Latinos make up a large part of the essential workforce in healthcare and manufacturing,” noted Dr. Jorge Rivera, a public health researcher. “If this leads to more jobs and cheaper medicine, it’s a double win—but we need to see the fine print.”

“Lowering drug prices sounds great, but we need transparency, accountability, and real implementation,” said Ana Hernández, director of Salud Para Todos, a community clinic in San Bernardino. “Our families deserve more than headlines—they deserve real relief.”