TrumpRx and Good Rx vs Cuban’s Cost Plus
Segment #281
I've long wanted to cover the high costs of prescription drugs, especially since the intense push for the COVID vaccines starting in 2020 highlighted just how much Big Pharma influences pricing and access. The core question is whether Americans truly have viable, practical options to save significantly on medications without relying solely on insurance or enduring inflated retail prices.Three prominent options stand out in recent discussions (as of early 2026): GoodRx, TrumpRx (the new federal program launched in February 2026), and Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs. Each has unique strengths, limitations, and best-use cases, and comparing them can reveal real ways to cut costs—often dramatically, especially for generics.
Here's a clear, side-by-side breakdown of the positives and negatives of GoodRx compared to TrumpRx (trumprx.gov, launched February 2026) and Cost Plus Drugs (Mark Cuban's platform). This draws from recent 2026 analyses, expert opinions, and direct comparisons across sources like STAT News, Nurse.org, The New York Times, and others. The key takeaway: No single option is "best" for everyone—always compare your specific medication across all three (plus your insurance copay if you have coverage), as savings vary by drug type (generic vs. brand-name), dosage, location, and whether you're uninsured.
GoodRx (goodrx.com)
Positives:
Extremely broad coverage: Discounts on thousands of medications (generics and brands) at over 70,000 pharmacies nationwide.
Free basic service (with optional paid Gold membership for extra savings); easy app/website for price comparisons and printable/digital coupons.
Often the lowest or near-lowest cash price for many generics and some brands—frequently beats retail by 50-80%.
Instant local pickup at major chains (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, etc.)—no waiting for shipping.
Works well alongside insurance in some cases (though primarily for cash-pay).
Proven track record since 2011; widely used and reliable for quick checks.
Negatives:
Prices can vary by pharmacy/location (not always the absolute lowest everywhere).
Relies on negotiated discounts through pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and networks—less "transparent" than pure cost-plus models.
Not an actual pharmacy (just coupons/links), so you still go to a physical store or use their partners.
Some users report occasional coupon issues or pharmacy refusals.
TrumpRx (trumprx.gov)
Positives:
Government-backed with big marketing push; focuses on steep discounts (often 50-90% off list prices) for select brand-name drugs from participating manufacturers (e.g., Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly).
Strong for certain high-cost, non-generic (or newly discounted) meds like GLP-1s for weight loss/diabetes (e.g., Wegovy/Zepbound/Ozempic at $149–$350/month vs. much higher list prices), fertility treatments (e.g., Gonal-F or Cetrotide at low cash prices), or specialty drugs.
Free to use; no account needed for basic searches; aims for "most-favored-nation" pricing to match lower international rates.
Many prices powered by GoodRx infrastructure, so overlaps with familiar discounts; good for uninsured or high-deductible plan users needing specific brands not well-covered by insurance.
Negatives:
Very limited selection: Only ~43 drugs at launch (mostly brands), with slow additions; more than half have cheaper generic equivalents available elsewhere.
Doesn't sell drugs directly—it's a search tool linking to manufacturer coupons/sites or pharmacies (similar to GoodRx but narrower).
Often not the cheapest option: Analyses show generics of many listed drugs cost far less on GoodRx (e.g., $6–$30) or Cost Plus (e.g., $16–$50) than TrumpRx's brand prices (e.g., $200+).
Primarily for cash-pay/uninsured; using it may not count toward insurance deductibles/out-of-pocket maxes, hurting insured users long-term.
Experts call it a "niche" or "side show" tool—benefits a small group (e.g., those on specific uncovered brands like weight-loss or fertility meds), not a broad solution.
New (launched Feb 2025/2026), so less tested; some see it as redundant to existing options.
Cost Plus Drugs (costplusdrugs.com)
Positives:
Transparent pricing: True "cost plus" model (manufacturer cost + 15% markup + flat $5 pharmacy fee + ~$5–$10 shipping)—no hidden fees or middleman games.
Excellent for generics: Often the lowest prices on thousands of common/maintenance meds (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol, antidepressants, etc.), beating GoodRx in many head-to-head checks.
Direct online pharmacy with mail-order delivery—convenient for long-term prescriptions or rural users; over 2,000+ meds available.
Great for uninsured or high-cost generic regimens; focuses on everyday drugs where most people actually save the most.
Negatives:
Limited to mostly generics (fewer brand-name options compared to GoodRx or TrumpRx for specialties).
Mail-order only: No instant local pickup; 1–2 week delivery wait + shipping fee (minor but adds up for one-offs).
Not ideal for urgent needs or drugs requiring refrigeration/special handling.
Smaller selection than GoodRx overall (though strong on what it carries).
Quick Comparison Summary (2026 Insights)
For generics (most prescriptions): Cost Plus Drugs often wins on price; GoodRx is a close second with local convenience.
For select brand-names (e.g., weight loss, fertility, some diabetes/obesity): TrumpRx can shine if it's one of the listed drugs and beats your other options/insurance.
For broadest/flexible use: GoodRx remains the go-to for variety and speed.
Overall best savings strategy: Compare all three every time—many experts say TrumpRx rarely beats the others except in specific cases, and generics via Cost Plus or GoodRx undercut it frequently.
Search for Your Medications
Searching for your medications on GoodRx, TrumpRx, and Cost Plus Drugs is straightforward on each site—here's a simple, step-by-step guide for each one (based on their current setups as of February 2026). These are all free to use for searching (no account needed initially, though some require one to order or save coupons). Always have your prescription details ready (drug name, dosage, quantity) for accurate results, and compare prices across all three plus your insurance copay if you have coverage.1. GoodRx (goodrx.com or the free app)GoodRx is the easiest for broad searches and local pharmacy pickups.
Go to www.goodrx.com (or download the GoodRx app on your phone).
On the homepage, find the big search bar at the top (it says something like "Type your drug name").
Type in the name of your medication (e.g., "atorvastatin," "Ozempic," or "lisinopril"). It auto-suggests options as you type—click the correct one (include generic/brand if needed).
Select your dosage and form (e.g., 20mg tablet) from the dropdowns.
Enter your ZIP code or allow location access to see nearby pharmacies.
Hit "Find the lowest price" or similar.
You'll see a list of pharmacies with discounted cash prices (often 50-80% off retail), sorted by cheapest first. Pick the best one.
Click "Get Free Coupon" — you can print it, text/email it to yourself, or show the digital version on your phone at the pharmacy (no insurance needed, but check if it works with yours).
Pro tip: Use the app for easier scanning or location-based searches.2. TrumpRx (trumprx.gov)This is a government site focused on select brand-name drugs with deep discounts (e.g., for weight-loss, diabetes, fertility meds). It's more limited (~43+ drugs, expanding), and it doesn't sell directly—it's a search tool for coupons or links.
Visit the official site: trumprx.gov (make sure it's the .gov domain to avoid fakes).
On the homepage, look for the search bar (it says "Search by drug name..." or similar).
Type in your medication name (e.g., "Wegovy," "Zepbound," "Ozempic," or browse the full list via the "Browse medications" link).
If your drug is listed (check the current selection—many are high-cost brands from Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, etc.), click on it.
You'll see the discounted cash price (often "most-favored-nation" low rates, like $199–$350/month for some GLP-1s).
Follow the on-page instructions: It may provide a printable/digital coupon to take to a pharmacy, or redirect you to the manufacturer's site for direct purchase/savings program. Some require affirming you're paying cash (not using insurance) or not seeking reimbursement.
No account needed for basic searches; prices are for cash-pay users.
Note: If your med isn't listed yet, it may be added later (site has a "Get notified" option for updates). Always compare—generics of these drugs are often cheaper elsewhere.3. Cost Plus Drugs (costplusdrugs.com)This is Mark Cuban's transparent online pharmacy—great for generics, mail-order only.
Go to www.costplusdrugs.com.
Click on "Browse Medications" (or look for the search bar on the homepage—it may say "Search or browse our available medications").
In the search field, type your medication name (e.g., "metformin," "atorvastatin," or "budesonide"). It shows suggestions.
Or browse by health condition/category (e.g., "Diabetes," "Blood Pressure") if you're unsure of the exact name.
Click on your drug to see available options (strengths, quantities, forms).
Prices are shown transparently: Base cost + 15% markup + $5 pharmacy fee + shipping (~$5–$10). No hidden fees.
If it matches your prescription, add to cart (you'll need to create a free account to order).
To fill: Have your doctor send a new prescription directly to Cost Plus Drugs (they provide the fax/email/address on the site). Once received, you can complete checkout online for home delivery.
Pro tip: Check if your exact strength/quantity is listed—if not, contact them or ask your doctor about alternatives they carry.Quick Tips for All Three
Compare every time: Enter the same drug/dosage/quantity on each site—what's cheapest can vary (e.g., generics often win on Cost Plus or GoodRx; select brands on TrumpRx).
Generic vs. Brand: Search both versions—generics are usually much lower.
Urgent needs: GoodRx for same-day local pickup; others are better for planned/refills.
Safety: Only use official sites (goodrx.com, trumprx.gov, costplusdrugs.com). Never share payment info on suspicious redirects.
If you tell me a specific medication (name, dosage, etc.), I can walk through real example results or flag which site might save the most!