STAT+: Trump administration launches probe into pharmaceutical imports

The Trump administration disclosed it formally opened an investigation into the extent to which the importation of certain pharmaceuticals may threaten national security, a move that is a widely anticipated prelude to imposing tariffs on a potentially large number of medicines.

In a Federal Register notice published on Monday, the U.S. Department of Commerce noted the so-called 232 investigation actually began on April 1 and encompasses not only medicines, but also active pharmaceutical ingredients and key starting materials, as well as derivative products. President Trump has already indicated that tariffs on pharmaceuticals are expected in the coming weeks.

The probe will examine current and projected demand for pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients in the U.S., whether domestic production can meet demand, the role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting U.S demand, and the concentration of imports from a small number of suppliers and any associated risks, according to the notice.

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