Americans pay a lot for drugs, US government plans to investigate prices

President Donald Trump's administration is preparing a new investigation into drug prices among US trading partners, which could lead to the introduction of new tariffs. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The investigation aims to clarify whether foreign partners are purchasing drugs below market price. It falls under a 1974 law that allows the United States to take action against unfair trade practices. The White House has not yet commented on the reports.

US patients pay more for prescription drugs than in any other industrialized country—often up to three times the prices in other countries. The president has long criticized pharmaceutical companies and trading partners for this imbalance.

Back in September, Trump warned that he would impose a 100 percent tariff on imports of branded or patented drugs if pharmaceutical companies did not move their production to the US. He had previously sent letters to the top executives of 17 pharmaceutical companies demanding that they lower prices in the United States.

(reuters, max)