US Pharma Group Pushes for Competitiveness Amid China's Rise

Industry and administration leaders outline plans to navigate a globally competitive pharma landscape with China's growing dominance.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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At a recent event organized by the lobbying group PhRMA, industry experts and US administration leaders discussed the need for the US healthcare industry to make systemic changes to contend with the growing competition from China's rapidly advancing pharmaceutical sector. Concerns were raised about China's progress on key metrics like the pace and cost of clinical trials, as well as its growing share of innovative therapies in development. Officials outlined various opportunities to streamline the drug development process and maintain the US's innovative leadership in the field.

Why it matters

The US pharmaceutical industry is facing increasing competition from China, which has been making significant strides in areas like clinical trial efficiency and developing innovative therapies. This poses a threat to the US's dominance in the global healthcare landscape, prompting industry groups and policymakers to strategize ways to bolster the competitiveness of the US pharma sector.

The details

At the PhRMA event, officials discussed several policy moves that could impact the US pharma industry, including new laws requiring pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide detailed data on drug prices, rebates, and spread pricing. This transparency is expected to help address high drug prices. The administration also wants to 'future-proof' its Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing agreements with companies like Pfizer to preserve innovation. Experts highlighted China's growing prowess, with 46% of mRNA vaccine development now taking place there, and the need for the US to streamline its own drug development process to stay competitive.

  • The PhRMA event was held on February 17, 2026.
  • The US Congress recently passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which will require PBMs to provide detailed data on drug prices and rebates.

The players

PhRMA

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a leading lobbying group for the US pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Mehmet Oz

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

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.

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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)

“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

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

— Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner

What’s next

The administration wants to 'future-proof' its Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing agreements with pharmaceutical companies to preserve innovation.

The takeaway

The US pharmaceutical industry faces growing competition from China's rapidly advancing healthcare sector, prompting industry groups and policymakers to strategize ways to bolster the competitiveness of the US pharma industry through policy changes and streamlining the drug development process.