{"id":683113,"date":"2026-01-08T21:58:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T21:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/683113\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T21:58:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T21:58:09","slug":"drugmakers-brace-for-europe-pricing-fight-after-trumps-us-price-cut-deals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/683113\/","title":{"rendered":"Drugmakers brace for Europe pricing fight after Trump&#8217;s US price-cut deals"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul data-testid=\"Summary\" class=\"summary-module__summary__QjADA\">\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Pricing deals with Trump added pressure to hike Europe prices<\/li>\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Trump says other wealthy countries should pay more for drugs<\/li>\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Politics could complicate cooperation on pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>NEW YORK\/LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters) &#8211; Global drugmakers face a battle in 2026 to secure higher prices for their prescription medicines in Europe after agreeing to cut U.S. pricing last year under pressure from President <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us\/donald-trump\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Donald Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Tougher negotiations could lead drugmakers to delay launches of new medicines in parts of Europe, potentially limiting patient access to them, several industry investors, a lobbyist and a pharmaceutical executive said.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"promo-box\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf article-body-module__promo-box__hVl8h\"> Sign up  <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/legal\/litigation\/drugmakers-brace-europe-pricing-fight-after-trumps-us-price-cut-deals-2026-01-08\/undefined?location=article-paragraph&amp;redirectUrl=%2Flegal%2Flitigation%2Fdrugmakers-brace-europe-pricing-fight-after-trumps-us-price-cut-deals-2026-01-08%2F\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tensions over drug pricing in Europe are expected to be a major topic at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco that starts January 12, the premier annual event that pulls pharmaceutical executives and investors from around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Trump touted the agreements at a series of White House events from September through December at which companies including Pfizer <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/companies\/PFE.N\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">(PFE.N), opens new tab<\/a>, Eli Lilly <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/companies\/LLY.N\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">(LLY.N), opens new tab<\/a> and AstraZeneca <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/companies\/AZN.L\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">(AZN.L), opens new tab<\/a> pledged to align U.S. prices on new drugs more closely to what is paid in other developed nations. Trump has insisted other wealthy countries will pay more for medicines so that companies can cut prices in the United States.The U.S. and Britain have also struck a deal under which Britain will receive <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/tariffs\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tariff relief<\/a> in exchange for <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/healthcare-pharmaceuticals\/us-uk-agree-zero-tariffs-pharmaceuticals-announcement-expected-sources-say-2025-12-01\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">raising the net<\/a> price it pays for new U.S. medicines by 25%.EUROPE&#8217;S PRICING DILEMMASebastian Guth, chief operating officer of Bayer&#8217;s <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/companies\/BAYGn.DE\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">(BAYGn.DE), opens new tab<\/a> pharmaceutical business and a board member of U.S. industry lobby group PhRMA, said he believes leaders of European countries are open to revisiting pricing policies, particularly if it could secure earlier access to new medicines.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you look at innovative medicines that were launched and approved over the past 10 years, Americans have access to 80% of those while Europeans have access to less than 50%,&#8221; Guth said. &#8220;There&#8217;s structurally a very significant delay in Europe.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>European countries pay around one-third less than the U.S. because they have national health systems that negotiate the prices of medicines with drugmakers and may delay purchasing them to get a better price.<\/p>\n<p>Marshall Gordon, senior research analyst for healthcare at ClearBridge Investments, said it may take time for pressure on Europe&#8217;s politicians to translate into higher prices.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t force the Europeans to just all of a sudden spend more,&#8221; said Gordon. &#8220;But (the deals) do actually give the companies negotiating power.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Many drugmakers, including AstraZeneca, Novartis <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/companies\/NOVN.S\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">(NOVN.S), opens new tab<\/a> and Sanofi <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/companies\/SASY.PA\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">(SASY.PA), opens new tab<\/a>, warned last year that Europe risks losing access to new medicines unless governments change how health systems assess and pay for them.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We\u2019ve already seen progress with the U.S.\u2013UK agreement announced late last year, and it&#8217;s encouraging to see the Trump administration continue this work with other nations to address foreign free-riding on U.S. innovation,&#8221; said PhRMA spokesperson Sarah Ryan.<\/p>\n<p>PRICE CONCESSIONS FOR TARIFF RELIEFFourteen major pharmaceutical companies last year <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/legal\/litigation\/several-top-drugmakers-lower-us-prices-some-drugs-sources-2025-12-19\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">struck deals<\/a> with the Trump administration to cut prices for some medicines sold to Medicaid &#8211; the U.S. health program for low-income Americans &#8211; and for cash-paying patients, and tie U.S. launch prices for new drugs to prices paid in other wealthy countries.<\/p>\n<p>In exchange for price concessions, the drugmakers received a three-year exemption from Trump&#8217;s threat of steep tariffs on their products.<\/p>\n<p>Shares of most drugmakers rose after the deals were announced, as investors downplayed the impact of the price cuts on a limited number of drugs and welcomed removal of the tariff threat.<\/p>\n<p>Worst-case pricing fears are &#8220;clearly not coming to pass,&#8221; said Linden Thomson, senior portfolio manager at Candriam Asset Management.<\/p>\n<p>Despite years of political noise, launch prices in the U.S. are not coming down, Thomson said. Some new drugs and treatments are being priced &#8220;materially higher than even Wall Street&#8221; expects, she added, pointing to J&amp;J&#8217;s Inlexzo which treats a type of bladder cancer and launched in September. The drug costs over $1.5 million per treatment course.<\/p>\n<p>Gareth Powell, head of healthcare investment at London-based Polar Capital, said companies could choose to launch some new drugs in the United States and delay selling them in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That could mean that &#8211; at least for a couple of years until the Trump presidency ends &#8211; these products just aren&#8217;t launched in Europe.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>A Washington lobbyist who works with drugmakers said European governments were unlikely to make major concessions to the U.S. given current events, such as Trump&#8217;s latest push to <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china\/white-house-says-greenland-purchase-is-an-active-discussion-trump-is-committed-2026-01-07\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;purchase&#8221;<\/a> Greenland, which is part of NATO-member Denmark.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not like the Trump administration has done a bunch of stuff that has made the Europeans happy and willing to be nice to him,&#8221; the lobbyist said, asking not to be named.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s antagonizing them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"SignOff\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__extra_small__8Buss body-module__full_width__kCIGb body-module__extra_small_body__Bfz20 sign-off-module__text__LQAMP\">Reporting by Michael Erman in New York and Maggie Fick in London; Editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"Body\" dir=\"ltr\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf article-body-module__element__5eCce article-body-module__trust-badge__5mS3f\">Our Standards: <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thomsonreuters.com\/en\/about-us\/trust-principles.html\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__medium__2Rl30 text-module__small__sph8i link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reutersagency.com\/en\/licensereuterscontent\/?utm_medium=rcom-article-media&amp;utm_campaign=rcom-rcp-lead\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\" class=\"button-module__link__A3sD0 button-module__secondary__70gBu button-module__round__QDFgq button-module__w_auto__Sem-F\" data-testid=\"LicenceContentButton\" rel=\"noopener\">Purchase Licensing Rights<\/a><a data-testid=\"AuthorBioImageLink\" class=\"author-bio-module__author-image__jcaG3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/authors\/maggie-fick\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__extra_small__8Buss body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__extra_small_body__Bfz20 author-bio-module__description__9ynkB\">Maggie is a Britain-based reporter covering the European pharmaceuticals industry with a global perspective. In 2023, Maggie&#8217;s coverage of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk and its race to increase production of its new weight-loss drug helped the Health &amp; Pharma team win a Reuters Journalists of the Year award in the Beat Coverage of the Year category. Since November 2023, she has also been participating in Reuters coverage related to the Israel-Hamas war. Previously based in Nairobi and Cairo for Reuters and in Lagos for the Financial Times, Maggie got her start in journalism in 2010 as a freelancer for The Associated Press in South Sudan. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pricing deals with Trump added pressure to hike Europe prices Trump says other wealthy countries should pay more&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":683114,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5174],"tags":[124884,84730,206943,84749,202418,84737,81850,206946,168743,201822,202036,206948,168744,203297,202702,202037,201821,168720,168735,206945,12920,202407,2000,84751,299,5187,84752,3671,99594,2732,124880,168711,168712,7900,206944,202119,124887,84742,127513,206947,203293,203296,168737,168715,203294,168716,124882,67726,168719,168742,202560,18827,978,124883,84750],"class_list":{"0":"post-683113","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-eu","8":"tag-amers","9":"tag-anlins","10":"tag-anv","11":"tag-ceeu","12":"tag-ch","13":"tag-cmpny","14":"tag-de","15":"tag-destef-business-future-of-health","16":"tag-destlita","17":"tag-destocabsm","18":"tag-destocatpm","19":"tag-destocor","20":"tag-destohlt","21":"tag-destoinn","22":"tag-destoukbsm","23":"tag-destouktpm","24":"tag-destousbsm","25":"tag-destoushem","26":"tag-destoustpm","27":"tag-efbusiness-future-of-health","28":"tag-emea","29":"tag-erep","30":"tag-eu","31":"tag-europ","32":"tag-europe","33":"tag-european","34":"tag-ezc","35":"tag-fin","36":"tag-fr","37":"tag-gb","38":"tag-gen","39":"tag-hea","40":"tag-heca","41":"tag-legal","42":"tag-mrch","43":"tag-mtpix","44":"tag-namer","45":"tag-news1","46":"tag-nord","47":"tag-nrlinocor","48":"tag-nrlpaohlt","49":"tag-nrlpaoinn","50":"tag-packageus-top-news","51":"tag-phar","52":"tag-phar1","53":"tag-phmr","54":"tag-pol","55":"tag-potus","56":"tag-publ","57":"tag-reuters-legal","58":"tag-scandv","59":"tag-se","60":"tag-us","61":"tag-wash","62":"tag-weu"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/683113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=683113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/683113\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/683114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=683113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=683113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=683113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}