STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer navigating tariffs, Makary’s pledge to avoid conflicts, and more
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the drugmaker might move overseas manufacturing to its plants in the U.S. as Trump threatens import tariffs
Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. We can tell by the growing number of motor vehicles passing by the Pharmalot campus and the continuous rumble of commuter trains off in the distance. As for us, we are engaged in the usual ritual of brewing cups of stimulation. Our choice today is orange creme, which is quickly becoming a household favorite. As always, you are invited to join us. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest for you to digest as you dig into your challenging routine. On that note, time to hustle. Best of luck, and do keep in touch….
Pfizer chief executive officer Albert Bourla said the drugmaker might move overseas manufacturing to its existing plants in the U.S., if required, as the Trump administration threatens numerous tariffs on imported goods, Reuters tells us. His comments come as drugmakers brace for the possibility of a 25% tariff on pharmaceutical imports. A company with an existing manufacturing network in the U.S. will fare better if there is a need to transfer production to the country to avoid tariffs, Bourla said at the TD Cowen healthcare conference. “We have the capabilities here (in the U.S.) and the manufacturing sites are operating in good capacity right now. If something happens, we will try to mitigate it by transferring from manufacturing sites outside to the manufacturing sites here.” Pfizer has 10 manufacturing sites and two distribution centers in the U.S.
Marty Makary, President Trump’s pick to head the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, promised to step down as an adviser to various health tech, medical device, and telehealth startups if confirmed, and to sell off stock holdings in the companies as well, according to financial disclosures filed ahead of his confirmation hearing, STAT tells us. According to the disclosures, Makary does not hold stock in any large pharmaceutical companies, unlike some previous FDA commissioners, including Robert Califf, the last individual to hold that office. Makary’s financial ties include holdings in a telehealth company that sells compounded drugs, a clinical stage company developing drugs for tissue injury, and a medical device company focused on cataract surgery.
