Pharma Pulse: US API Stockpile Plan, Mounjaro Price Hike in UK, and New Data on Vaccine Safety

Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and today we’re covering three major developments—from new US policy on drug manufacturing to a high-profile pricing change for a leading obesity drug, and new research on vaccine safety.

• President Trump has signed an executive order directing the creation of a domestic stockpile of active pharmaceutical ingredients, or APIs. The goal is to reduce reliance on foreign sources, strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain, and ensure readiness for public health emergencies. This policy could have significant implications for manufacturers, potentially accelerating domestic production investments while reshaping global sourcing strategies.
• In other news, Eli Lilly has increased the UK list price of its GLP-1 drug Mounjaro by 170%. The company attributes the move to aligning prices with the therapy’s value and global market conditions, but the hike has sparked debate over affordability and access—especially as GLP-1 demand surges worldwide. Critics warn that higher prices could limit uptake within the UK’s National Health Service, while proponents say it may reflect the drug’s potential in addressing obesity and diabetes at scale.
• Lastly, a new long-term study has found no link between aluminum-containing childhood vaccines and adverse health outcomes. Researchers reviewed decades of data and concluded that aluminum adjuvants, used to boost immune response, are safe and do not contribute to chronic illness. The findings are expected to reinforce public health messaging and counter misinformation, particularly as vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge in some communities.

From US manufacturing policy to international drug pricing and reaffirmed vaccine safety, these stories show how regulation, market dynamics, and public health science are intersecting to shape the pharma landscape.

That’s it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access and care delivery, visit pharmaceuticalcommerce.com.

Thanks for listening—until next time, stay well and stay informed.

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