Mumbai, Sep 29 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena(UBT) has asserted that US President Trump's decision to impose a 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals poses a significant threat to Indian drug manufacturers, warning that this could devastate the Indian pharmaceutical sector and jeopardize healthcare access for the impoverished and middle-class citizens.

The editorial from the party's mouthpiece, Saamana, states, "Trump appears to be seeking retribution against Indian businesses, aiming to undermine India’s economy. His actions could hinder Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declared goal of elevating the nation to the position of the third-largest economy in the world." They further challenged the central government, questioning, “What medication has Trump administered to the BJP-led administration and the Prime Minister to keep them subdued? Only the pharmaceutical firms can answer that.”

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction noted that the imposed tariffs reflect President Trump’s "America First" trade policy, designed to bolster domestic pharmaceutical production while minimizing reliance on international medicines. Essentially, while PM Modi and his associates advocate for self-reliance in India, President Trump is pursuing similar goals in the United States.

“Indian pharmaceutical firms exporting drugs worth thousands of crores to the US contribute significantly to the BJP's election funds. Reports suggest that these companies have donated around Rs 1.25 lakh crore to the PM Cares Fund. If accurate, President Trump is effectively crippling PM Modi's financial backers, and this seems to be a calculated move; he is not as naïve as he appears. The populace gains nothing from this situation. Perhaps this is why President Trump has tightened the noose on the Indian pharmaceutical sector,” the editorial continued.

In light of these developments, Shiv Sena(UBT) stated that Indian pharmaceutical firms may need to set up their manufacturing bases in the US, a move that could severely affect employment in India. Five leading pharmaceutical companies alone export Rs 38,000 crore worth of generic medications to the US. Tax incentives on these exports are likely to diminish. President Trump’s objective is to achieve self-sufficiency in the pharmaceutical domain, mirroring PM Modi's advocacy for the same in India.

The editorial further highlighted that healthcare in India is already exorbitant, with government healthcare plagued by deceit and corruption. In this context, a 100% tariff on branded and patented medicines entering the US could severely impact the Indian healthcare system.

“India's pharmaceutical trade is valued at Rs 2 lakh crore. Recognized as the pharmacy of the world, Indian pharmaceutical companies significantly contribute to the national economy. India holds a substantial share of the medicines exported to the US, with four out of every ten prescriptions in the US coming from Indian firms. Medications for hypertension, lipid regulation, diabetes, mental health, neurology, and ulcers are all sourced from India. These tariffs have adversely affected the pharmaceutical industry, leaving it with no viable solutions to counter this challenge,” concluded the editorial in Saamana.