John Whelan: Ireland's pharma sector is braced for upheaval after RFK appointment

The thing that keeps pharmaceutical executives awake at night is the Trump appointment of Robert F Kennedy Jr to head up the healthcare portfolio

Robert F Kennedy Jr is a deeply controversial pick to head up the US’s healthcare sector. Picture: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Investors, relieved to have a clear-cut US election winner and fired up about the prospect of tax cuts and deregulation under a Donald Trump administration, have sent many US share prices zooming higher but not the pharmaceutical companies.

The expectation that Mr Trump will impose a 10% to 20% tariff across all imports is not a concern for US pharma companies — who have extensive manufacturing bases in Ireland — or the indigenous industry here.