During an appearance on the financial news program Money Movers, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla confirmed that U.S. prescription drug prices are trending lower. Bourla cited data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services showing average list price increases for brand-name medications have fallen below 2% year-over-year for the first time in a decade. He attributed this shift to heightened competition for specialty therapies and recent legislative measures that cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors. Bourla also noted that Pfizer’s own portfolio benefited, with realized net selling prices for core products edging up only modestly compared with mid-single-digit increases in prior years.

As part of its strategic portfolio rebalancing, Pfizer completed the sale of its 11.7% equity stake in ViiV Healthcare to a consortium led by Shionogi, fetching $1.875 billion in cash. The transaction raises Shionogi’s holding to 21.7%, consolidating ownership under the HIV specialist joint venture. Pfizer originally acquired the stake through its 2019 merger with GSK Consumer Healthcare. Management indicated the funds will be redirected toward late-stage development programs in immunology and oncology, as well as potential bolt-on acquisitions in gene therapy.

In its pre-earnings commentary on the non-oncology portfolio, Pfizer projected continued momentum driven by its anticoagulant franchise, led by Eliquis, and stable revenues from anti-inflammatory and rare disease treatments. The company expects Eliquis prescriptions to grow mid-teens percentage points year-over-year in the U.S., propelled by expanded cardiology guidelines. Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic sales are forecast to decline by more than 30% from the year-ago quarter as the pandemic enters a maintenance phase. Management emphasized that core non-COVID medications will offset the slowdown, with operating margins in the segment poised to remain above 45%.