In this week’s edition of InnovationRx, we look at Trump’s pharmaceutical tariffs, the first robotic cataract surgeries in humans, the underbelly of marketing compounded GLP-1s, and more. To get it in your inbox, subscribe here.

Last week, the Trump administration announced its long-hinted-at tariffs on pharmaceuticals. These include a 100% base tariff on both imported, patented drugs and their active pharmaceutical ingredients.

But there are a lot of exceptions. Generic drugs, many of which are produced in India, are exempt for now, though the administration hinted at potential action in 2027. So are medicines imported from the United Kingdom. Trading partners like Japan and the European Union will face a much lower 15% rate.

Pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer and Eli Lilly that signed Most Favored Nation deals with the Trump Administration, along with promises to bring manufacturing to the U.S., will also escape the new levies. Companies that promise to onshore production without signing an MFN deal will see rates of 20%. A total of 16 big pharma companies fall into those two categories.

The jumble of tariffs are slated to go into effect in 120 days for certain larger companies and in 180 days for smaller firms. Although the Supreme Court struck down some tariffs last month, these tariffs may be on stronger legal ground. That’s because they fall under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which provides more Presidential authority to enact import duties.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, whose board comprises CEOs of companies like Johnson & Johnson and Merck, issued a statement opposing the tariffs. So did the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, which argued........

© Forbes