AHA Inks Letter On Pharma Imports

On May 6, the American Hospital Association (AHA) sent a letter to Commerce official Stephen Astle. The letter, signed by AHA Vice President Akin Demehin, expresses concern over the Section 232 investigation into pharmaceutical imports.

The AHA is urging the Department of Commerce to maintain tariff exemptions on imported pharmaceuticals and ingredients, warning that new trade restrictions could worsen drug shortages and raise hospital costs.

The letter noted, “Tariffs… could inadvertently disrupt the availability of these essential care delivery tools,” he wrote, noting that 270 drugs are currently on the shortage list.

The AHA emphasized the U.S. reliance on foreign pharmaceutical sources, citing that nearly 30% of active ingredients come from China and over 90% of sterile injectable drugs rely on inputs from India or China. “Shifting sourcing… may not be possible if a needed raw material is unavailable domestically,” the letter warned.

Hospitals also face financial risks. The AHA cited a survey in which 82% of experts expect tariffs to increase hospital costs by at least 15%. Demehin called for continued collaboration with federal agencies to “preserve access to essential pharmaceuticals and ensure that hospitals can continue delivering safe and effective care.”