Signal Desk · Economy

US exempts India and 19 nations from tariff on speciality drugs

2026-09-28 · 1 source · Economic Times Economy

In short

The United States exempted some speciality drugs and ingredients from tariffs for India and 19 other countries. The exemption covers drugs for rare diseases and infertility, plus their components, after a 100% tariff was announced on certain patented medicines.

This matters for drug exporters and importers, especially in India. The reporting does not say when the change takes effect or how much trade will shift.

What the reporting says

The United States exempted certain speciality drugs and ingredients imported from India and 19 other countries from tariffs, according to an Economic Times summary. The exemption follows a US presidential proclamation imposing a 100% tariff on specified patented pharmaceuticals, while drugs for rare diseases and infertility and their components qualify for zero-tariff treatment. The immediate market or trade impact is not stated in the available reporting.

Why it matters

The United States exempted certain speciality drugs and ingredients imported from India and 19 other countries from tariffs, following a proclamation that imposed a 100% tariff on specified patented pharmaceuticals. The summary says drugs for rare diseases and infertility, plus their components, will get zero-tariff treatment, and that the exemption also covers 20 other jurisdictions with US trade agreements. The reporting does not specify timing beyond the announcement or quantify the trade value affected.

Touches: Healthcare, Global, Government, Markets

Sources