US Probes Germany's Drug Pricing
The U.S. said the probe will examine whether "persistent underpayment" for medicines by Germany is discriminatory. "President Trump has made clear that American patients should not be shouldering a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical research and development," said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Germany has proposed overhauling its health insurance system to reduce pressure on public finances. The U.S. has launched an investigation into Germany's pharma policies over what it referred to as "persistent underpayment" for medicines as the European country looks to limit spiraling healthcare costs, including spending on drugs. "President Trump has made clear that American patients should not be shouldering a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical research and development," said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in a statement late Thursday. "I am par...
S. said the probe will examine whether "persistent underpayment" for medicines by Germany is discriminatory. S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Germany has proposed overhauling its health insurance system to reduce pressure on public finances. S. has launched an investigation into Germany's pharma policies over what it referred to as "persistent underpayment" for medicines as the European country looks to limit spiraling healthcare costs, including spending on drugs. S.
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in a statement late Thursday. " In April, Germany proposed overhauling its health insurance system to reduce pressure on public finances, as health spending has increased substantially in recent years. It introduced a range of cost-saving measures, including higher discounts for insurance funds from the pharma industry, prompting numerous drugmakers to warn that they might withdraw or delay new medicines in the country. The draft legislation is currently going through parliamentary processes.
S. S. commerce and can lead to tariffs being imposed. S.
trading partners must pay their fair share to fund research into new medicines, and that the investigation comes after months of discussion with German partners. K. K. pay higher prices for new drugs through its National Health Service, in return for a tariff exemption for medicines.
"Germany should follow suit with constructive negotiations to address this imbalance," Greer said. The German Health Ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. S. compared to other comparable countries, including in Europe.
S. to lower ones abroad. S. in exchange for tariff exemptions.
Critics of the policy, however, say that it stifles innovation and disincentivises investment in research and development. S. S. market are tied to lower prices elsewhere.
S. prices and prices in a reference country becomes too large, it will not be able to launch the drug there despite its "best intent" to bring new medicines to patients.