Little impact of 100% US pharma tariff on India

PERSISTING WITH HIS policy to promote the indigenisation of pharmaceutical manufacturing, US President Donald Trump on Friday announced a 100% tariff on imported patented drugs and associated pharma ingredients.

- MANU KAUSHIK

Generic drugs and their associated ingredients will not be subject to tariffs this time, a move that provides relief to the Indian drugmarkers. Despite the fact that India remains largely protected from these tariffs as 90% of the $9.7-billion pharma exports to the US constitute generics, global trade experts said that there is always a risk that the US could review its stance.

“Under current circumstances and in light of future requirements of the US, this action is necessary and appropriate to address the threatened impairment of national security,’ Trump said.