Trump’s ‘Most Favoured Nations’ Drug Policy Raises Concerns For Indian Exporters

US President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping prescription drug price cuts is expected to affect global pharmaceutical markets, including India’s key generics export sector.

The move comes as the US administration pushes for international price benchmarking to bring domestic drug costs down.

Key Officials Present at Announcement

Speaking alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, Trump declared that Americans would soon pay no more than the lowest prices charged anywhere in the world.

“You’re going to get most favoured nations pricing,” he said.

Trump stated that drugmakers had agreed to deep price reductions on major products.

“We signed historic agreements to reduce prices by 300, 400, 500, 600 and even 700 per cent,” he claimed.

Executives present at the announcement included leaders from Sanofi, Novartis, Genentech, Gilead, GSK, Merck, and Amgen, highlighting the global reach of the policy.

The President also revealed that the US would use tariffs to compel foreign governments to align drug prices with the new benchmarks.

“We would never be able to do this without the use of tariffs,” Trump said, adding that US drug prices would soon rank among the lowest in the developed world.

He further linked the initiative to expanded US-based pharmaceutical manufacturing, stating, “They’re coming in, and they’re building already.”

India, as one of the world’s largest producers of generic medicines, supplies a significant portion of affordable treatments to the US market, particularly for chronic diseases.

Indian pharmaceutical exporters are closely monitoring any US policy involving global price benchmarking, as it could affect trade and profitability, even though Indian drug prices are already among the lowest globally.

Analysts suggest that while Americans may benefit from reduced costs, global pharmaceutical companies, especially generics manufacturers in India, may face pressure on profit margins and export strategies.

Also Read: Trump Announces Ambitious Plan To Slash US Prescription Drug Prices