The new 100% tariff on branded and patented medicines announced by US President Donald Trump will not affect Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical exports, said Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) President Abdul Muktadir on Friday.
Trump said the tariff, effective 1 October, would apply to imported branded or patented drugs, but companies already building plants in the US would be exempted.
“Bangladesh exports only generic medicines, which are exempt from the new tariff. The move will neither hurt our exporters nor boost shipments,” Muktadir told Times of Bangladesh.
In developed markets, branded drugs are rarely replaced by patent-free generics, he added.
Branded medicines are developed by innovator companies and protected by patents for around 20 years.
Muktadir added that European pharmaceutical giants, to stay competitive in the US, will continue to set up manufacturing plants there.
They are generally newer, more effective for specific conditions, and considerably more expensive.
Bangladesh has emerged as a reputed supplier of generics.
Exports reached $213 million in fiscal 2024-25, a 3.74% year-on-year rise, with around 10% going to the US market.
