U.S. President Donald Trump announcement last week of a 100 percent tariff on branded and patented drugs from manufacturers that are not setting up production in the United States has stoked public concern over rising prices and drawn criticism for disrupting global supply chains.
The measure, originally due to take effect on Wednesday, has reportedly been put on hold by the Trump administration, but concerns have spread across the industry both domestically and internationally.
Industry experts have warned that the new tariffs will hinder drug research and development while driving up prices.
U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly voiced opposition to the measure despite being exempt from it.
A spokesperson for the company said it does not support tariffs on pharmaceutical products, emphasizing that tariffs ultimately increase the costs of medicines, which have historically been excluded from international tariffs because of their life-saving nature and impact on patients.
The levies, if implemented, are expected to hit smaller manufacturers especially hard, as many have production lines in Mexico and Canada and cannot afford the billions of dollars required to build factories in the U.S.
The New York Times has reported potential disruptions in the supply of certain niche brand-name products made by smaller drug companies that cannot afford to move their production to the United States.
It further noted that these tariffs could compel some small drug companies to exit the U.S. market or sell their production lines.
The measure has also sparked criticism overseas. Australian Health Minister Mark Butler described the tariffs as unfair and unjustified.
The Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA), a German trade group, said a 100 percent tariff would deal a severe setback to Germany and Europe as pharmaceutical hubs, disrupt supply chains and drive up production costs, endangering patient care on both sides of the Atlantic.
U.S. drug tariffs raise concerns over higher prices and supply disruptions
The three astronauts of China's recently-returned Shenzhou-20 mission on Friday shared the experiences of their dramatic 204-day space mission, including detailing the emergency procedures which were implemented to bring them safely home after their return capsule was struck by space debris.
The trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- met with the press in Beijing on Friday afternoon, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November.
When detailing the emergency response mechanisms which were enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's viewport window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to get the trio home safely.
Experienced mission commander Chen Dong explained how the crew had complete faith in their colleagues on the ground to find a solution to these unforeseen circumstances which led to their return being delayed.
"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves; as well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected failures. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.
Following their extended stay in space as a result of the debris incident, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent a total 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.
During their mission, they completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments, and carried out four extravehicular activities.
"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload entry and exit tasks, and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission. The path to exploring the heavens is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot who was making his first spaceflight during the mission.
"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said fellow astronaut Wang Jie, who was also making his debut spaceflight.
After returning to Earth on Nov 14, the trio successfully completed their isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.
The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns, with the astronauts later using the return capsule belonging to their successor crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission to get back to Earth. China later launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft which will serve the future return of the crew now aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experiences after safely returning from debris incident
