Health economists in Greece have raised alarms regarding the potential ramifications of tariffs proposed by the United States on the pharmaceutical sector in Europe.

President Donald Trump has indicated plans to impose tariffs of at least 25% on pharmaceutical imports, a move framed as part of an initiative to bolster domestic manufacturing and decrease reliance on foreign suppliers.

However, specific proposals and measures are expected to be detailed only in April.

The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs has intensified as the US government has intermittently added items to and removed exemptions from newly imposed tariffs on trade partners such as Canada and Mexico.

Industry analysts note that while tariffs on products like cars and semiconductors are anticipated, the implications for pharmaceuticals are particularly concerning.

Kostas Athanassakis, an assistant professor of Health Economics at the University of West Attica, emphasized that medicines are often viewed as 'merit goods' due to their critical role in public health and have historically been excluded from trade disputes.

Athanassios Vozikis, a professor at the University of Piraeus specializing in Health Economics, described the impending tariff measures as a cause for significant upheaval in the global pharmaceutical supply chain, which is estimated to exceed $900 billion.

He outlined that the unpredictability of these tariff strategies generates anxiety among patients worldwide and could lead to increased costs for consumers, particularly for innovative medications and generics that have fewer substitutes.

The dual threat posed by these tariffs is twofold, according to Athanassakis.

Firstly, the policies could drain vital production from Europe, jeopardizing living standards and the welfare state amidst a demographic decline in the workforce.

Secondly, they conflict with core goals of EU pharmaceutical policy, which aims to foster research, development, and local production in the pharmaceutical field.

Vozikis pointed out that the pharmaceutical sector in Europe heavily relies on revenues generated from the US market, signaling potential adverse impacts on business operations.

The responses from European biopharmaceutical companies remain uncertain as they consider the ramifications of potential tariffs on drug production and clinical research.

Analysts suggest that EU companies may need to engage in negotiations with the US to maintain the exclusion of pharmaceuticals from the trade conflict.

Additionally, there may be a reevaluation of incentives aimed at promoting research and development within the EU. The complexities of regulatory data protection, competitive pricing for generics, and environmental standards could all come into play during these consultations.

Some experts see potential for innovation amid these challenges.

Vozikis noted that advancements in digital technologies and collaborative production efforts might enable the pharmaceutical industry in Europe to navigate this crisis, thereby establishing a more robust and sustainable operational framework in the long term.

In a related context, Bulgaria has implemented urgent measures to mitigate the growing crisis surrounding cancer drug shortages.

The Bulgarian government has accelerated processes to ease bureaucratic barriers in the importation and distribution of essential cancer treatments, affecting over 40 pharmaceuticals critical for cancer therapy.

Pharmaceutical companies operating in Bulgaria have historically struggled with extensive regulatory procedures that have led to significant drug shortages and inflated prices for patients.

Current reliance on discounts from pharmaceutical companies to support the national medicine budget has also raised concerns, leading to calls for increased public funding.

Despite recent increases in public funding for medicines, Bulgaria has been categorized as one of two EU nations showing increased cancer mortality rates over the last decade.

Data indicates that although cancer incidence rates in the country were lower than the EU average in 2022, avoidable mortality rates from common cancers such as lung, breast, and colorectal cancers remained significant.

In response to the access issues, the Bulgarian government is proposing regulatory changes that would extend the mandatory review period for oncology drug pricing from six months to 24 months, easing some administrative burdens on pharmaceutical companies.

This aims to ensure consistent availability of these critical therapies in the local market.

Despite these measures, Bulgaria is also grappling with a lawsuit from the EU Court of Justice regarding preferential pricing treatment for private oncology hospitals, raising further complexities in its healthcare policy landscape.