China trade war will drive up health care costs

 Axios -  A trade war with China could shock fragile global health care supply chains, driving up the cost of medical supplies, intensifying shortages of common drugs and limiting U.S. medical device makers' ability to import critical parts.  While President Trump's tariffs are billed as a boon to America's public health for the way they'll cut off sources of fentanyl, experts say they risk upending a health network that buckled during the pandemic and relies on components sourced from around the world.

• China has become a linchpin in biopharma manufacturing and is a key source of advanced pharmaceutical ingredients used in targeted therapies and starting materials for generic sterile injectable drugs.
• Many commonly used medical supplies like syringes, surgical gloves and personal protective equipment also come from China. The Biden administration last year raised tariffs on Chinese medical supplies to combat low-priced imports.

Market Research survey of 200 industry professionals found more than 80% predicted costs for hospitals and health systems will surge by at least 15% in the next six months due to increased import expenses. About 7 in 10 predict drug costs will rise by at least 10% assuming the higher tariffs. More