Swiss industry body says US tariffs on pharmaceuticals will harm patients

• Trump's order subjects branded pharmaceuticals to tariffs unless manufacturers agree to government pricing deals or commit to domestic production
• The UK secured the only tariff-free access to the U.S. pharmaceutical market by agreeing to higher prices for new drugs, including those for the National Health Service
• Chemical and pharmaceutical products made up more than half of Switzerland's record 287 billion Swiss francs ($359 billion) in total exports in 2025

Summary

Switzerland's pharmaceutical association, interpharma, warned that U.S. President Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs on pharmaceuticals will disrupt global production and supply chains while ultimately harming patients worldwide. The industry body called on the Swiss government to negotiate tariff exemptions similar to the deal secured by the United Kingdom.

Key Details:

Under Trump's order signed Thursday, branded pharmaceuticals imported to the U.S. face tariffs unless manufacturers agree to government drug pricing deals or commit to domestic production. The UK became the only country with tariff-free access to the U.S. pharmaceutical market, agreeing to higher prices for new drugs, including those purchased by Britain's NHS.

Market Impact:

The stakes are particularly high for Switzerland, where chemical and pharmaceutical products comprised over half of total exports in 2025. Swiss pharmaceutical exports alone totaled 54.7 billion Swiss francs ($68.4 billion), while total exports reached a record 287 billion Swiss francs ($359 billion), excluding gold, precious metals, gems, and artwork.

Interpharma emphasized that the tariffs threaten research and development efforts and urged Switzerland to "advocate for a solution on par with that of the United Kingdom" to minimize tariff exposure for the pharmaceutical industry.

Implications:

The tariffs represent a significant shift in U.S. pharmaceutical trade policy, potentially reshaping global supply chains and forcing manufacturers to choose between accepting government pricing controls, relocating production to the U.S., or absorbing tariff costs. Switzerland's pharmaceutical sector, a cornerstone of its export economy, faces pressure to secure similar exemptions as the UK to maintain competitive access to the lucrative U.S. market.