The Trump administration has been talking to drugmakers about ways to raise prices of medicines in Europe and elsewhere in order to cut drug costs in the United States, according to a White House official and three pharmaceutical industry sources.

U.S. officials told drug companies it would support their international negotiations with governments if they adopt “most favored nation” pricing under which U.S. drug costs match the lower rates offered to other wealthy countries, the White House official said.

The U.S. is currently negotiating bilateral trade deals and setting tariff rates on the sector.

The Trump administration has asked some companies for ideas on raising prices abroad, two of the sources said, describing multiple meetings over several months aimed at lowering U.S. prices without triggering cuts to research and development spending drugmakers insist would result.

The White House official called the effort collaborative, saying both sides were seeking advice from each other.

The U.S. pays more for prescription drugs than any other country, often nearly three times as much as other........

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