US Pharma Group Campaigns for Competitiveness Amid China's Rise

Industry and US administration leaders discuss navigating a globally competitive pharma landscape with China's growing dominance.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

At a recent event organized by the PhRMA lobbying group, industry experts and US administration leaders discussed the growing competition from China's healthcare industry and the need for the US to maintain its innovative leadership. Dr. Mehmet Oz of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) emphasized the importance of streamlining the drug development process, while former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned about China's increasing share of mRNA vaccine development. The discussion also touched on policy changes affecting the US pharma sector, including new transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and the administration's Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing policy.

Why it matters

The US healthcare industry is facing increasing competition from China's rapidly growing pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. This raises concerns about the US maintaining its position as a global leader in healthcare innovation. The discussion highlights the need for the US to address systemic challenges and implement policies that can help the domestic industry remain competitive.

The details

Industry experts and US administration leaders discussed several key issues at the PhRMA event. Dr. Mehmet Oz of CMS emphasized the need for the US to "streamline the process" of drug development and engage with patients earlier once a drug is approved. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned that 46% of mRNA vaccine development is now taking place in China, a technology largely invented in the US. The event also touched on recent policy changes, including new transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and the administration's Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing policy, which aims to preserve innovation while addressing drug pricing concerns.

  • The event organized by PhRMA took place on February 17, 2026.
  • The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which includes new transparency requirements for PBMs, was recently passed by the US Congress.

The players

Dr. Mehmet Oz

Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Albert Bourla

CEO of Pfizer.

Scott Gottlieb

Former FDA Commissioner and current venture capitalist at the NEA group.

Dr. Marty Makary

Current FDA Commissioner.

Franck Le Deu

Founder and managing partner at KerZheng Ventures.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You don't try to block them out. That strategy would not differentiate from competitors. But rather the US needs to 'streamline the process' of generating an idea and taking it to the clinic, and all the different elements involved in that are critical.”

— Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (pharmaceutical-technology.com)

“46% of the development around mRNA vaccines right now is taking place in China, a technology that was largely invented here in the US... Right now, we're in a position where we're actively [I think] eroding part of our vaccine enterprise.”

— Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA Commissioner, Venture Capitalist at NEA (pharmaceutical-technology.com)

“The US needs to 'be as competitive as we can be'.”

— Dr. Marty Makary, Current FDA Commissioner (pharmaceutical-technology.com)

“Chinese biotechs are 'extremely dependent' on US capital and the US market to make the economics of their ecosystem work.”

— Franck Le Deu, Founder & Managing Partner, KerZheng Ventures (pharmaceutical-technology.com)

“Americans will start to see drug prices drop once these [new transparency] laws are implemented.”

— Albert Bourla, CEO, Pfizer (pharmaceutical-technology.com)

What’s next

The administration plans to 'codify MFN in a way that the industry finds is reflective of what was signed in the contracts' to help preserve innovation while addressing drug pricing concerns.

The takeaway

The US healthcare industry faces growing competition from China's rapidly advancing pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. To maintain its innovative leadership, the US needs to address systemic challenges, streamline drug development processes, and implement policies that can help the domestic industry remain globally competitive.