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BIO warns of negative impacts from new pharma tariffs. Plus more good news on vaccines. (768 words, 3 minutes, 5 seconds)
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BIO warns pharma tariffs harm innovation and access while increasing costs |
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New tariffs on pharmaceuticals outlined in an April 2 presidential proclamation will reduce patient access to innovative drugs and weaken American competitiveness while raising costs, BIO warns.
The proclamation: Imports of pharmaceutical products specified in the proclamation face tariffs as high as 100%, with reductions or exemptions available if a company has onshoring plans or pricing agreements. These tariffs are imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (“Section 232”). The White House released additional information about the tariff proclamation in a fact sheet.
Why it matters: “The reality is that any tariffs on America’s medicines will raise costs, impede domestic manufacturing, and delay the development of new treatments—all while doing nothing to enhance our national security,” a statement from BIO explains.
Diverting resources: “U.S. biotech companies have been eager to expand investments here at home, but tariffs, along with an uncertain policy environment and efforts to force ‘most‑favored nation’ schemes, work directly against that goal,” BIO says. “Tariffs divert scarce resources away from research and development, weaken American biotech against China’s rising industry, and ultimately, harm health and economic wellbeing of Americans.”
BIO’s pledge: “We stand ready to work with the Administration on a long‑term strategy that encourages biotechnology investment, reduces the time, cost, and uncertainty of developing new medicines, expands U.S. biomanufacturing capacity, and ensures American innovation is fairly valued overseas,” says BIO’s statement. “Tariffs and MFN are not the answer."
Read the full BIO statement.
Read BIO’s national security briefing. |
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Study showing flu shots cut Alzheimer’s risk highlights extra vaccine benefits |
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A study on the link between flu vaccines and reduced Alzheimer’s risks provides the latest good news about vaccination.
The findings: Following research showing flu vaccines cut risk of Alzheimer’s, a new study of 165,000 adults over 65 indicates a high dose vaccine reduces risk more than a standard dose. Researchers hypothesize vaccination strengthens immunity while limiting inflammation linked to Alzheimer’s.
Why it matters: Immunization, considered one of the most effective human health interventions, is credited with saving 154 million lives over the past 50 years by preventing infectious diseases—but we are still learning about additional advantages of vaccines.
Similar research on side benefits: Recent studies show vaccines preventing shingles also help stave off dementia and slow aging by reducing inflammation and slowing epigenetic and transcriptomic aging.
Avoiding preventable disease is the primary benefit of vaccination. Vaccination lags are blamed for the measles comeback and new concerns about Haemophilus influenzae type b, a potentially deadly virus that seems to be making a comeback after vaccination reduced it to under 50 cases a year.
BIO promotes vaccination: “Vaccinations offer powerful health and economic benefits—preventing disease, lowering healthcare costs, and helping communities stay healthy and resilient,” according to BIO’s “Why We Vaccinate” campaign. “Immunization represents the right and the ability to defend and protect those we love.”
Read more here. |
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FDA approves Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 pill for weight loss. Foundayo™, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 1, is Lilly’s second approved obesity medicine and the only GLP-1 pill for weight loss that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions, according to Lilly. Read more here.
Raising awareness of bleeding disorders. Bleeding disorders are poorly understood by the general public, but biotech innovation has dramatically improved life expectancy for people affected by these rare conditions. New treatments under development take advantage of gene therapy. Pathway to Cures, founded by the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) is a non-profit venture philanthropy fund to invest in companies seeking to develop treatments for inheritable bleeding disorders. Read more on Bio.News.
Research shows pharmacy degrees pay off. While fields such as engineering or psychology provide small pay increases post-degree, making education in those fields a poor investment, students getting pharmacy degrees realize big returns. Students receiving pharmacy doctorates enjoy an average pay increase of 165% after receiving their degrees, a study shows. Read more here. |
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“Bridging persistent gaps in national health security will require stronger alignment across the full lifecycle of medical countermeasures, from early research through procurement and sustained manufacturing,” according to Praneel Jadav, BIO Manager, Infectious Disease Policy (right), who spoke at the
World Vaccine Congress on April 1. Jadav discussed national health security with Mike Stebbins, Sr., VP, Advanced Technology International. “In order to translate innovation into deployable capabilities and strengthen preparedness for emerging threats, there needs to be more coordinated incentives, clear transition pathways, and predictable demand signals that support sustained public-private collaboration for the development of medical countermeasures and platform technologies,” Jadav said.
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The House and Senate are in recess this week. |
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