India, April 4 -- Pharmaceutical manufacturers in Germany and Switzerland on Friday warned that the latest US tariffs on pharmaceutical products could threaten production at their European facilities, industry representatives said.

The Swiss association Interpharma warned of negative consequences for patients.

The US administration seeks to encourage pharmaceutical companies to set up operations in the US by imposing a 100% surcharge.

However, Germany and all other EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Japan and South Korea, are exempt from this due to separate agreements. Tariff rates of up to 15% apply to them.

Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical associations view the new measures as a massive intervention in the medicines market....