Drugmakers delay launches on new drugs

Drugmakers are delaying launches of some new medicines in Europe as the industry grapples with U.S. pressure and pricing policy shifts from President Donald Trump, according to top executives.



The White House has been pushing to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the United States, which has traditionally paid significantly more than other wealthy countries.



Trump says the industry has been unfair to U.S. consumers and has sought to tie the cost for Americans to what is paid elsewhere, including in Europe, known as most-favoured-nation pricing.



That has led drugmakers to press pause on bringing some medicines to European markets, where health spending is lower, to avoid pulling down prices in the $700 billion U.S. market.