Trump tariffs could raise drug costs, worsen shortages

President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China could worsen ex­ist­ing drug shortages in the U.S., raise healthcare costs for patients and threaten cash-strapped generic drugmakers, some drug trade groups warn.

Trump on Saturday announced he would impose a 25% tariff on nearly all goods shipped from Canada and Mexico and a 10% charge on imports from China, all of which were set to take effect on Tuesday. On Monday, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said the U.S. would delay its proposed tariffs on the country for one month after Mexico agreed to beef up security at its border. 

Trump has said the tariffs will remain in place until the three countries stop the flow of fentanyl and undocumented immigrants into the U.S. 

But the import taxes comes as the U.S. grapples with an unprecedented shortfall of crucial medicine ranging from injectable cancer therapies to generics,…