President Trump announced plans to impose steep tariffs on imported generic medicines, starting with a 100% levy in August 2028 and escalating to 200% in August 2029. The policy aims to encourage domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing but has drawn sharp criticism from doctors and supply chain experts, who warn it could disrupt drug supplies, increase costs, and lead to shortages of essential medicines.
Nearly 90% of U.S. prescriptions are for generics, with India supplying over half of birth control, antidepressants, and hypertension treatments in 2024. The announcement follows repeated threats to tax imported pharmaceuticals, despite prior proposals suggesting exemptions for generics.
President Trump proposed imposing 100% tariffs on imported generic medicines in August 2028, rising to 200% in August 2029. The policy is designed to repatriate pharmaceutical manufacturing to the U.S. and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. India, the largest source of generic therapies for the U.S., accounted for more than half of prescriptions for birth control, antidepressants, and hypertension treatments in 2024.
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