Features

The US Secretary of Commerce has initiated an investigation to determine the effects on US national security of imports of pharmaceuticals, including finished drug products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and key starting materials, potentially paving the way for pharmaceutical industry-specific tariffs.

President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order on drug pricing, which calls for eliminating the so-called “pill penalty” under the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Program to equalize the post-approval time frame for drugs subject to negotiation for small-molecule drugs and biologics.

Global volatility on the trade front continued this week as the US put a 90-day pause on implementing its plan for reciprocal tariffs on a country-by-country basis, but uncertainty remains, particularly for certain trading partners, notably China. What is the impact on the pharma industry and what may in store.   

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, representing innovator drug companies in Europe, and Medicines for Europe, representing generics and biosimilars producers in Europe, speak out on  the impact of a changing tariff scheme on the bio/pharma industry in the EU and propose action plans.  

CEOs and senior executives from DCAT Member Companies highlighted their companies’ major news at the DCAT Member Company Announcement Forum at DCAT Week. Manufacturing expansions for peptides, biomanufacturing, and sterile manufacturing led the news. 

What other DCAT Member Companies are making the news? A roundup of the latest developments from CDMOs/CMOs and other suppliers in active pharmaceutical ingredients (small molecules and biologics) to drug products (solid dosage, injectables and specialty dosage forms), and packaging.

The education programs at DCAT Week 2025, held March 17–20, in New York, featured senior executives and thought leaders providing perspectives on key issues impactful to the business of bio/pharma development and manufacturing and the customer–supplier relationship. 

How is innovation inspiring and fueling the transformation of the bio/pharma industry? DCAT’s conference and networking event, Expedition Pharma: Innovation from a Patient-First Perspective, being held June 4–5, 2025, in Lugano, Switzerland, will provide key insights.

How did the bio/pharma industry perform in 2024, and what is the outlook for 2025 and near term?  What are the key growth areas and what headwinds and tailwinds does the industry face? How will new modalities factor into the growth prospects? Industry experts at DCAT Week 2025 provide the answers.

How are bio/pharma companies and their suppliers tackling difficult challenges in development, manufacturing, and the supply chain, including in risk management? How is supplier relationship management evolving? Senior executives at the education programs at DCAT Week will provide key insights.