United States · Business news · Policy & Regulation · 29 Sept 2026
US Health Care
The second and final phase of the Section 232 tariffs on imported patented medicines and their ingredients took effect on September 29, extending them from 17 large drugmakers, covered since the end of July, to all branded manufacturers. The standard rate is 100%. Companies with an approved US manufacturing plan pay 20%, and those that also have a most-favoured-nation pricing agreement pay 0% through January 20, 2029. Products from the EU, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland face 15% and UK products 10%. Generics, biosimilars, orphan drugs and cell and gene therapies are exempt.
The 17 largest companies had all signed pricing and manufacturing agreements by August 31, so they import at 0%. The exposure now falls on smaller and mid-sized branded drugmakers and biotechs that import finished drugs or active ingredients and have no agreement: they face a rate between 10% and 100% depending on origin, or the cost of a US manufacturing commitment. Contract manufacturers with US plants gain a selling point. Generic makers and their distributors are outside the measure.
Reported by Managed Healthcare Executive — “Tariffs on patented drugs now apply to all branded drugmakers” ↗ on 29 Sept 2026.
Official series on 29 Sept 2026 or the last day before it, and the latest observation.
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