Trump tariffs could disrupt UK medicine supply, Wes Streeting warns
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Warning that Trump’s tariffs could hit UK medicine supply
- The UK government is working to mitigate potential disruptions to the medicine supply due to tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, which have caused global market instability, according to the health secretary.
- Wes Streeting, the health secretary, highlighted that while medicine supply already faces challenges, tariffs add another layer of complexity.
- UK drug shortages have reached a four-year high, with 1,938 supply disruption notifications in 2024, exacerbated by Brexit-related supply chain issues, according to official figures and a Nuffield Trust report.
- The UK government is negotiating a deal to exempt British industry from the tariffs, but Donald Trump has indicated he is not looking to pause them, viewing them as both a negotiating tool and a revenue source.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the government's support for industries affected by the tariffs, such as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which faces a 25% tariff.