From 1 October, all branded and patented pharmaceutical products imported into the United States will be subject to a 100% import tariff, announced President Donald Trump. This move has raised concerns that medicine prices in the country could potentially double.
In 2023, the United States imported pharmaceutical products worth USD 158 billion, with processed medicines accounting for the largest share at over USD 86 billion. The main exporting countries include:
| Country | Key Exported Pharmaceutical Products |
| Ireland | Processed medicines, biotech products |
| Switzerland | Branded pharmaceuticals, active ingredients |
| Germany | Processed medicines, chemical drugs |
| India | Generic medicines, bulk APIs |
President Trump has stated that foreign companies establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in the United States will be eligible for tariff exemptions. However, he has not explained why the tariff was suddenly imposed or whether it will be added to previous reciprocal tariffs.
The United States is one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world, and the new tariff is expected to exert economic pressure not only on American consumers but also on exporting countries. Economists warn that such sudden tariffs could create supply shortages in the healthcare sector, with low- and middle-income populations being most severely affected by price increases.
US experts have further cautioned that, unless Congress or the courts intervene, the American pharmaceutical market could face significant instability from October onwards.
