Tariffs threaten a pharmaceuticals shortage, as 95% of ibuprofen comes from China

A man leans over and reaches for a bottle while standing in front of a shelf on medications. (Credit: Spencer Platt—Getty Images)

• The U.S. gets the vast majority of common, generic medications from China, meaning President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on Chinese imports could cause a shortage of key drugs. Generic drugs are affordable because of manufacturers’ razor-thin margins. Increased costs as a result of tariffs could disincentivize them from producing certain pain-relief meds.

Tariffs already have many Americans concerned about the state of the economy, but the incoming taxes on pharmaceutical goods from China could present a more literal headache.