Trump’s call for essential drugs to be made in US threatens innovation, says trade group

The trade group for the US pharmaceutical industry has warned that President Donald Trump’s latest executive order calling for essential drugs to be manufactured in the US will stifle innovation.

The executive order, issued on 6 August,1 followed four other executive orders designed to reduce drug prices, which all seem to be part of Trump’s appeal to voters in the November election. All require further action by government agencies and may be challenged in the courts so are unlikely to take effect any time soon.

Stephen Ubl, president of PhRMA, the drug industry organisation, said that Trump’s “buy American” executive order “creates even more barriers to ongoing biopharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation.” He said, “Companies are working around the clock to …