And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is rather modest so far. We plan to tidy up around the castle, promenade with the official mascots, and catch up on our reading. We also plan another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? The change of seasons opens up all sorts of possibilities, from long walks through woods to strolling along city streets to drives through the countryside. Of course, if the weather fails to cooperate, you could open a book, watch the telly, or spin a platter and dance about. Or maybe it is an opportunity to connect with someone special. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
The Trump administration announced 100% tariffs on imported brand-name drugs — but with significant caveats, STAT explains. Many large drugmakers will not have to pay the tax because they struck deals with the U.S. to build manufacturing facilities here and lower the prices of their medications. Drugmakers that have not struck such deals but pledge to bring production to the U.S. can have tariffs reduced to 20% for the remainder of Trump’s term. The tariffs open a new front in the Trump administration’s efforts to rein in the pharmaceutical industry and in its push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. The announcement comes as Trump has looked to emphasize his administration’s work to make prices — especially for medicines — more affordable ahead of the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is negotiating more drug-pricing deals, now with smaller companies, according to STAT. The new talks offer a pathway for smaller pharmaceutical companies — those not included in the first round of deals — to pledge lower prices and potentially avoid tariffs or new pricing policies through Medicare. The negotiations suggest the administration is looking to replicate the strategy it used with larger drugmakers: extract voluntary, confidential agreements in pursuit of lower prices and more domestic manufacturing. They also offer smaller players in the sector the chance to cut a deal and gain more certainty about how they might be affected by federal policies. But the number of companies in talks with the administration remains unclear, as does whether or when the sides will reach agreement.
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