Healthcare and Life Sciences Brace for Policy Impact

60% of industry leaders expect tariffs and pricing policies to affect business operations

60% of industry leaders expect tariffs and pricing policies to affect business operations

A new Deloitte survey reveals that the healthcare and life sciences sectors are preparing for significant disruption from evolving trade and pricing policies. The study, conducted in late June 2025 with 120 global executives, found that three in five industry leaders anticipate at least "some impact" from current and anticipated regulatory changes.

Strategic Planning vs. Operational Readiness

While companies are actively engaging in scenario planning, a gap appears to exist between strategic preparation and operational execution:

• 73% of US-based firms have implemented scenario-planning strategies
• 64% have taken steps to secure supply chains against global disruptions
• Only 10% have altered organizational structures

The survey suggests most organizations remain in planning mode rather than implementing transformative operational changes.

Key Industry Responses

Life sciences companies are adapting their business models in several ways:

R&D Investment: Despite policy uncertainty, 60% of companies are maintaining current research and development funding levels while adjusting strategies around clinical trial locations and supply sourcing.

Manufacturing Shifts: 17% of respondents plan to relocate manufacturing to the US, with 62% expecting new facilities to be operational within five years.

Service Evaluation: Half of surveyed companies are reassessing how policy changes might affect services including digital health offerings and patient support programs.

The "Quantum Corporation" Approach

Deloitte researchers advocate for what they term "quantum corporation" strategies-organizations that operate in parallel states of readiness and build infrastructure for multiple potential outcomes simultaneously. This hyper-adaptive approach emphasizes continuous learning and real-time operational adjustments over traditional contingency planning.

The survey was conducted prior to the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, suggesting additional impacts may emerge as companies respond to the new legislation.

The full Deloitte report emphasizes that organizations combining strategic foresight with operational agility will be best positioned to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.