New tariffs could send prescription drug prices spiraling out of reach for millions.
New policy could raise drug prices and strain already vulnerable low-income families in Los Angeles
President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. will soon impose tariffs on imported medications, aiming to pressure pharmaceutical companies to stop manufacturing abroad, particularly in China and other countries.
The announcement came during a luncheon with the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
“We’re going to put tariffs on our pharmaceutical products… We’ll be announcing a major tariff very soon,” Trump declared.
Despite the likelihood of price increases, Trump expressed confidence that the size of the U.S. market will serve as an incentive for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and sell within the country.
“The advantage we have, above all, is that we have a huge market,” he added.
Trump explained that the purpose of the tariffs is to encourage pharmaceutical companies to relocate their production back to the U.S.. In his words:
“When they hear this, they’ll leave China, they’ll leave other countries, because they must sell most of their products here.”
In a previous conversation with reporters, Trump suggested that these upcoming tariffs could be similar in scale to existing automobile tariffs. He did not give a clear timeline or specify what percentage the tariffs would be, but he stated:
“The higher the tariff, the faster it will be applied.”
For low-income communities in Los Angeles, this announcement could have serious and immediate consequences.
Imported generic medications from countries like India and China help keep healthcare affordable for millions of Americans—especially those without insurance, on public health programs, or living paycheck to paycheck.
In LA County, where nearly one in four residents lives near the poverty line, even a small increase in drug costs could lead to delayed treatments, skipped prescriptions, and worsening health outcomes.
Many community clinics, such as those serving Latino, immigrant, and elderly populations, rely on low-cost imports to stock their pharmacies. If tariffs drive up prices, safety-net providers may be forced to ration supplies or reduce services—leaving the most vulnerable with fewer options and higher risks.
Moreover, Los Angeles is already facing a $2 billion budget shortfall due to wildfire recovery costs and a looming $4 billion legal settlement. If medication prices spike, the strain on public health systems like LA County+USC Medical Center and community clinics could intensify—further exacerbating inequality.
While the administration frames these tariffs as a way to bring jobs and manufacturing back to America, critics argue they put essential healthcare access at risk—particularly for those who can least afford higher prices.
If enacted, these tariffs could be another blow to working-class families in Los Angeles, already burdened by rising housing, food, and utility costs.
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