Washington, D.C. – U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued the following statement today about President Trump’s blueprint to address high drug prices:
“It is not fair that U.S. consumers subsidize the global market by paying significantly higher prices for these lifesaving drugs,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “Our trading partners need to contribute their fair share toward pharmaceutical research and development by providing robust levels of intellectual property protection and enforcement, as well as having fair and transparent drug pricing systems. At the President’s direction, we are going to use every tool available to ensure U.S. pharmaceuticals are fairly priced around the world.”
Last month, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued the 2018 Special 301 Report, which highlights concerns regarding intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement and market access barriers affecting U.S. entities that rely on IP protection, including those in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
For a fact sheet on USTR engagement on pharmaceutical and medical device issues, click here.
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