US President Donald Trump declared that, as of October 1, 2025, imports of branded and patented prescription medications would be subject to tariffs of up to 100%.

Given how much the Indian pharmaceutical industry depends on trade with other nations, especially the US, the decision could have a negative impact.

“We will be imposing a 100 percent tariff on any branded or patented pharmaceutical product, starting October 1, 2025, unless a company is building their pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in America,” the US president wrote in a post on Social.

In his post on Social, the Republican leader also stated that “IS BUILDING” will be interpreted as “breaking ground” and/or “under construction.” Therefore, if building has begun, there won’t be any tariff on these pharmaceutical products. I appreciate you taking the time to consider this.

The most recent round of tariffs also included 25% duty on heavy trucks, 30% duty on upholstered furniture, and 50% duty on imports of bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets.

President Trump said that US industries were being undercut by foreign producers.

The United States is overrun with furniture and cabinetry. Our own producers are being harmed by heavy vehicles and parts. President Trump stated that tariffs are necessary for a number of reasons, including national security.

Only a few weeks have passed since the White House unveiled prior import fees and trade frameworks.

Already, President Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, along with a 25% “penalty” for continuing to buy Russian energy.

According to the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India, an industry association, 31% of India’s $27.9 billion in pharmaceutical exports in FY 24—or $8.7 billion, or Rs 7,72,31 crore—went to the US. In the first half of 2025 alone, pharmaceutical products worth an additional $3.7 billion (Rs 32,505 crore) were shipped.

According to statistics, more than 45% of generic medications and 15% of biosimilar medications used in the US are supplied by India.

According to reports, companies such as Dr. Reddy’s, Aurobindo Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences, Sun Pharma, and Gland Pharma derive between 30 and 50 percent of their overall revenue from the US market.

There is question over whether complicated generics and specialty medications from India will also be subject to the recent American levies, even though they seem to primarily target branded and patented medications, a market that is controlled by multinational behemoths.