The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries (EFPICA) fears “the worst situations, the day after the announcement, by Donald Trump, new customs tasks of up to 100% for the drugs imported to the United States on Thursday, September 25.
The general director of Efpia, Nathalie Moll, reminded the AFP that these taxes “increase the costs, disturb the supply chains and prevent patients from obtaining vital treatments.”
“The EU and the United States have already concluded a commercial agreement; urgent discussions are necessary on how to avoid customs tasks of medicines that damage EU patients and the United States. At the same time, the EU must improve their support for research and development costs worldwide,” he added to BFM Business.
Contacted, Leem, the Union of Pharmaceutical Laboratories in France considers “that drugs and vaccines and their active ingredients cannot be assimilated to common commercial goods. Its free movement constitutes an imperative public health, an essential condition for the health of all patients.”
As a reminder, within the framework of the commercial agreement ended in August with the United States, the EU had obtained customs duties limited to 15%, which was already badly welcome by the sector.
What about generic drugs?
In addition, Donald Trump’s announcements are involved, while the European Commission expects from the US president to have his commitments: “We hope that the United States quickly takes measures on the exemption of generic drugs,” said Matthias Jørgensen, interim director of the United States Management in the DG trade of the European Commission, during an exchange in the Public Health Committee of September 24.
Australia, which exported pharmaceutical products, estimated at $ 1.35 billion to the United States in 2024, also reacted to the US decision.
“We buy many more pharmaceutical products from the United States than what they buy here … American consumers are not interested to impose a higher price in Australia’s export to the United States,” Australian health minister said on Friday.
Source: BFM TV
