Press Releases | July 22, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night, President Trump announced his plans to instate a 100% tariff on generic drugs beginning in August 2028, with a planned increase up to 200% in 2029, one year after his term ends. According to the president’s Truth Social announcement, the change will not impact brand-name drugs.
In response, P4AD CEO Merith Basey released the following statement:
“If the administration intends to lower prescription drug prices, it should not pursue policies that threaten to raise them. Imposing massive tariffs on generic medicines risks making lower-cost generic drugs millions of Americans rely on more expensive and harder to access.
“Generic drugs account for approximately 90 percent of prescriptions filled in the United States and are one of the few areas where Americans pay relatively low prices compared with other countries. Tariffs of this magnitude could have enormous consequences — raising costs, worsening shortages, and putting access to lifesaving medicines at risk.
“At a time when Americans are already struggling to afford health care, groceries, housing, and other basic needs, the last thing they need is another additional expense. Seniors, people with chronic conditions, and patients who rely on multiple prescriptions could be particularly hard hit.
“We urge the administration to focus its efforts on brand-name drug companies who abuse their monopoly power to block competition – not jeopardize the lower-cost medicines Americans depend on.”