Trending News Today: Could China Tariffs Raise Prices for Prescription Drugs in the United States?

Pharmaceutical groups are warning that President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on goods from China could lead to higher prescription drug costs in the United States, The Hill reported. Chinese-manufactured products that could be hit with a 25% tariff include many ingredients used to manufacture drugs such as insulin, antidepressants, and epinephrine, according to the article. Advocates and drugmakers are concerned that tariffs may result in increased manufacturing costs for generics and biosimilars, according to The Hill.

On Wednesday, Senate Health Committee leaders released a bipartisan discussion draft of a bill aimed at combating the opioid epidemic, according to The Hill. The draft bill, called the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018, includes measures aimed at helping specific agencies and departments address the crisis, The Hill reported. The House Energy and Commerce Committee is also working on an opioid package with the goal of having the legislation on the House floor by Memorial Day weekend, according to the article.

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, is urging social media companies and internet service providers to curb illegal sales of opioids on their platforms, according to The Hill. In his prepared remarks at the annual National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta, Dr Gottlieb emphasized concerns that social media platforms and internet providers have not been proactive enough in removing illegal listings to purchase opioids, according to the article.