Health Care — Trump imposes 100 percent tariff on branded pharmaceuticals

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  Trump unveils 100% tariff on branded pharmaceutical imports  After threatening to impose tariffs on drugmakers throughout 2025 to secure Most Favored Nation (MFN) agreements, President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order imposing tariffs on branded pharmaceuticals made outside the U.S.  © Getty Images "I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to impose a 100 percent ad valorem duty rate on the import of patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients," Trump's executive order stated, citing the U.S.'s reliance on pharmaceutical imports as a cause for national security concerns.     The Section 232 tariffs enacted through this order are designated for national security concerns.     Some brand name drug manufacturers will fare better than others. Companies that have approved plans to start manufacturing facilities in the U.S. will face a 20 percent tariff instead.     Drugs coming from the European Union, Japan, South Korea or Switzerland and Liechtenstein will be subject to a 15 percent tariff, while drugs from the United Kingdom will face an unspecified "lower" rate subject to a U.S.-U.K. trade agreement.    The order also includes several exemptions. Tariffs will not be applied to generic drugs, orphan drugs or brand name drugs made by companies who entered into MFN agreements with the administration.    The pharmaceutical industry was swift to condemn Trump's latest drug tariffs.     "Tariffs on cutting-edge medicines will increase costs and could jeopardize billions in U.S. investments announced in the last year. Every dollar spent on tariffs is a dollar that can't be invested in communities across the country," said Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of the pharmaceutical trade group PhRMA.  Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, I'm Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Trump signs order imposing 100 percent tariff on brand name drugs President Trump signed an executive order Thursday targeting imported brand name drugs with a 100 percent tariff, citing the U.S.’s “import reliance” as reason for the decision. “I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to impose a 100 percent ad valorem duty rate on the import of patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients,” Trump’s executive order stated. …  Full Story Sanders, Wyden demand hearings with health insurance CEOs Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are calling on Republican committee leaders to hold hearings with the chief executives of top health insurers in the U.S. as they “continue to get rich” during a time when health care access and affordability are of top concern. Sanders and Wyden wrote to Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), chairs of the Senate Health and Finance committees respectively, …  Full Story Chicago authorities warn of possible measles exposure at O'Hare Officials from the Cook County Department of Public Health in Illinois warned Tuesday of possible exposure to measles from a contagious individual at O'Hare International Airport and two other locations. In a press release, the department said people may have been exposed to measles if they were in Terminal 5 at the airport between 10:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 24.  People also may have been exposed Thursday, …  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: EPA proposes studying microplastics for potential drinking water limits The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to propose to study microplastics and pharmaceuticals in what could be the first step toward drinking water limits for these substances. The Trump administration is touting the move as a win for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, a subset of voters that is skeptical of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries — and has at times been critical of the Trump administration … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: Lawmakers, state officials scramble to help 450,000 New Yorkers set to lose health insurance (City & State New York)  HIV, AIDS infections up in Chicago after years of decline as cases rise among Latinos (WBEZ Chicago)  SoCal hospice owners bilked taxpayers for millions in false claims, federal officials say (Los Angeles)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Small drugmakers, facing threat of tariffs, negotiate pricing deals with White House (Stat)  U.S. scientists sequence 1,000 genomes from measles, a disease long eliminated with vaccines (KFF Health News)  Proposed obesity criteria could delay care, top society warns (MedPage Today)  What People Think  Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: Washington is getting drug pricing wrong — here's how states can get it right Make America Healthy Again is about finally telling the truth   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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