India, Sept. 26 -- US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 100 per cent tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical imports from October 1 has put the spotlight on India's pharmaceutical exports, a sector heavily reliant on the American market.

Trump declared that the new tariffs would apply unless companies are "building" pharmaceutical plants in the US -defined as "breaking ground" or being "under construction."

In 2024, America imported nearly $233 billion in pharmaceutical and medicinal products, according to the Census Bureau. The prospect of prices doubling for some medicines could send shock waves to voters as health care expenses, as well as the costs of Medicare and Medicaid, potentially increase.

The pharmaceutical...