UK Ministers Hold Urgent Talks With Pharmaceutical Companies Over US Tariff Concerns

British ministers are actively engaging with pharmaceutical companies regarding potential US tariffs, prompting calls for an emergency taskforce to safeguard medicine supplies. The UK government is working diligently to maintain tariff exemptions for British drugmakers through prospective trade negotiations, as the industry exports approximately £7bn worth of goods to the US annually.

The pharmaceutical sector, second only to automotive exports at £8.3bn, faces significant uncertainty as Whitehall sources describe the Trump administration’s stance as “impossible to read.” Government officials have initiated discussions with industry leaders about potential support mechanisms should tariffs be implemented, recognising the sector’s crucial role in the UK economy.

Industry representatives have remained silent on potential tariff implications while intensifying their lobbying efforts against existing NHS levies on branded medicine sales. The situation mirrors concerns across Europe, where pharmaceutical companies have appealed to the European Commission for operational support and compensation measures to counter US tariff threats.

The Liberal Democrats have demanded an “emergency taskforce” to ensure medicine supply security. Helen Morgan, the party’s health spokesperson, has urged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to protect NHS funding and prevent drug shortages resulting from what she terms “Trump’s playground bully tactics.”

While Downing Street downplays concerns about medicine shortages, industry experts warn that tariffs could disrupt complex supply chains. Former Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt has criticised the government’s handling of pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly referencing the lost AstraZeneca vaccine facility deal in Liverpool.

The situation presents both challenges and opportunities for the UK’s life sciences sector. Industry analysts suggest Britain could position itself as a more stable alternative to the US market, potentially attracting international talent through global visa programmes and fostering a more favourable environment for innovation investment.