Mon, 03 Feb 2025

Trump tariffs could raise medication costs and exacerbate shortages, drug trade groups warn

The U.S. relies heavily on other countries for pharmaceutical products, especially for generic drugs.

* 90% of Americans' prescriptions are generics, which come mainly from other countries.
* Tariffs could "increase already problematic drug shortages" by forcing generic manufacturers out of the market due to low profit margins.
* Some pharmaceutical companies are urging Trump to exempt generic products from tariffs.
* The US relies heavily on overseas manufacturing for medical devices and APIs.
* Tariffs could lead to shortages of critical medical technologies, higher prices for patients and payers, and less investment in research and development.
* Hospitals may also be impacted by the tariffs due to their reliance on imports for everyday supplies.
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