Gareth Sheridan, director for Nutriband, has spoken out about these concerns. He is concerned that increasing tariffs could quickly break the delicate global pharmaceutical supply chain. The company, which is headquartered in Ireland, produces key generic medications — such as chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics and pain relief drugs. These medicines are essential to public health, including among patients who experience economic hardship and can thus benefit from these drugs.
As debate continues over the merits of tariffs, President Donald Trump is reportedly readying a bombshell announcement. The implications for American patients are growing more acute by the day. According to recent census statistics, nearly one in four Americans have already skipped needed healthcare because they can’t afford it. Unfortunately, this alarming trend is likely to continue, with future projections indicating that total could rise by another 25%.
The increasing tide of patients unable to afford treatment is a crushing burden on individuals and families across the country. This reality endangers their health and economic security. It normalizes bad behavior by raising critical questions about access to crucial medications that millions of people still rely on for their health and well-being. As an example of how bad it’s gotten, Sheridan added that it’s sadly not uncommon for someone to tell you they’re in a life-saving mode of care.
“Ultimately, people are going to die and they’re going to die because they can’t afford to live.” – Gareth Sheridan
With the global supply chain threatened with disruption, Nutriband sees its ability to produce these key drugs in danger. The company’s capacity to reliably produce necessary drugs—and thereby provide even greater patient access—would be put at risk. With rising manufacturing costs linked to tariffs, healthcare providers may struggle to obtain the treatments that are vital for their patients.
The implications of these trends go larger than just any one patient. They risk worsening already dire healthcare inequities. As prices increase, fewer people can afford the treatments they need. This would lead to decreased health outcomes and further stress our already frazzled healthcare system.