Trump Plans Tariff Changes Amid Drug Pricing Concerns

As Donald Trump prepares for his second term, the healthcare industry is bracing for significant changes regarding prescription drug costs and tariffs. A KFF survey indicates that many Americans view drug costs as unreasonable, with potential reforms in Medicare and Medicaid on the horizon under Trump's leadership, including negotiations on drug prices that may impact how seniors access medications. Concurrently, the Indian pharmaceutical sector is concerned about potential tariffs that could increase costs for American imports, as the U.S. market represents a substantial portion of India's pharma exports. Additionally, the healthcare sector is closely monitoring proposed legislation like the Biosecure Act, which could disrupt the critical supply chain from China, a major supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Analysts suggest that Trump's pro-business stance may clash with bipartisan efforts aimed at reducing drug prices and addressing foreign pharmaceutical dependencies. Overall, uncertainty around policy changes is causing caution among investors and stakeholders in the industry.