Nearly half of all generic medicines taken in the US come from India alone. Generic drugs - which are cheaper versions of brand-name medications - imported from countries like India make up nine out of 10 prescriptions in the US.
This saves Washington billions in healthcare costs. In 2022 alone, the savings from Indian generics amounted to a staggering $219bn (£169bn), according to a study by consulting firm IQVIA.
Without a trade deal, Trump's tariffs could make some Indian generics unviable, forcing companies to exit part of the market and exacerbating existing drug shortages, experts say.
Tariffs could "worsen the demand-supply imbalances" and the uninsured and poor will be left counting the costs, says Dr Melissa Barber, a drug costing expert from Yale University.
The effects could be felt across people suffering from a range of health conditions.
Over 60% of prescriptions for hypertension and mental health ailments in the US were filled with Indian-made drugs, according to the IQVIA study funded by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
This saves Washington billions in healthcare costs. In 2022 alone, the savings from Indian generics amounted to a staggering $219bn (£169bn), according to a study by consulting firm IQVIA.
Without a trade deal, Trump's tariffs could make some Indian generics unviable, forcing companies to exit part of the market and exacerbating existing drug shortages, experts say.
Tariffs could "worsen the demand-supply imbalances" and the uninsured and poor will be left counting the costs, says Dr Melissa Barber, a drug costing expert from Yale University.
The effects could be felt across people suffering from a range of health conditions.
Over 60% of prescriptions for hypertension and mental health ailments in the US were filled with Indian-made drugs, according to the IQVIA study funded by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
