U.S. Officials Press Germany to Raise Drug Prices in Bid to Lower American Costs

U.S. officials met with the German ambassador over breakfast to urge Germany to increase what it pays for pharmaceuticals, STAT reported. The meeting included the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and chief health department adviser Chris Klomp speaking with German Ambassador Jens Hanefeld.

It forms part of a larger push by the Trump administration to have other countries pay more for medications while the U.S. pays less, according to a person familiar with the meeting. The approach resembles the administration's use of tariff threats to encourage higher drug payments from trading partners.

The ambassador agreed to review the matter with officials in Germany. No agreement was reached during the meeting.

Some U.S. biotech companies are considering moving early-stage trials of new medicines outside the United States. The consideration stems from concerns that mass layoffs, leadership exits, and restructuring at the FDA under the Trump administration may delay regulatory reviews, Reuters reported.

Reuters spoke with seven biotech executives, investors, and consultants. They said staff departures and policy changes at the FDA have prompted some smaller biotechs to rethink traditional pathways for bringing new medicines to market. The companies are looking at launching trials in markets such as the European Union and Australia.

They are also considering engaging with regulators in those regions earlier in the drug development process.