Pharma Shakeup: Trump's Price Cut Order Sends Ripples Through Industry

Recent health briefs reveal significant developments in the pharmaceutical sector. Key highlights include Trump's order demanding price cuts from drugmakers, Grifols' profit surge, and Cytokinetics' promising heart disease drug. Meanwhile, Novartis and Eli Lilly make strategic moves despite potential challenges from Trump's pricing mandates.

In a sweeping move, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order demanding that the pharmaceutical industry align drug prices with global standards. This controversial move aims to significantly reduce prescription costs, although experts predict implementation challenges.

Amid this regulatory backdrop, Grifols reported a near-tripling of its net profits, bolstering its 2025 outlook. Meanwhile, Cytokinetics announced promising results from a late-stage study, enhancing patients' exercise capabilities with its new heart disease treatment.

In other industry news, Swiss drugmaker Novartis pledged to maintain production of malaria drugs despite funding uncertainties, while Eli Lilly's Zepbound outperformed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in a key weight-loss drug trial. The industry faces a new era of potential growth and regulatory re-evaluation.

(With inputs from agencies.)