US Grants India Zero Tariffs on Specialty Pharmaceuticals
The US Department of Commerce exempted India from upcoming 100 percent tariffs on specialty pharmaceutical products to maintain access to high-value therapies.
The United States Department of Commerce has added India to a list of countries eligible for zero tariffs on specific categories of specialty pharmaceutical products and ingredients. This exemption takes effect as the United States prepares to impose a 100 percent tariff on certain patented pharmaceutical imports and their associated ingredients starting September 29.
The tariffs follow a presidential proclamation issued in April by Donald Trump under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. While generic medicines remain exempt, the new relief specifically covers high-value therapies, including orphan drugs, nuclear medicines, plasma-derived therapies, fertility drugs, cell therapies, gene therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and certain animal-health products and medical countermeasures.
India received this status alongside the European Union and several other nations based on current or forthcoming trade and security framework agreements with the United States. The measure ensures that Indian manufacturers maintain duty-free access for specialty medicines while the U.S. government continues its broader effort to increase domestic pharmaceutical production.
