U.S. and U.K. Reach Agreement on Increased Medication Costs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 01 2025
0mins
Source: WSJ
U.K. Pharmaceutical Spending: Britain will increase its spending on new patented medicines by 25% as part of a deal to avoid tariffs on pharmaceutical exports to the U.S.
Impact of U.S. Trade Policy: This agreement marks a significant achievement in President Trump's initiative to have other countries contribute more to the costs of medicines that he claims are subsidized by American consumers.
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Analyst Views on MRK
Wall Street analysts forecast MRK stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for MRK is 119.53 USD with a low forecast of 95.00 USD and a high forecast of 139.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 119.750
Low
95.00
Averages
119.53
High
139.00
Current: 119.750
Low
95.00
Averages
119.53
High
139.00
About MRK
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global health care company that delivers health solutions through its prescription medicines, including biologic therapies, vaccines and animal health products. Its Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products. The Company sells its human health pharmaceutical products primarily to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers. It sells these human health vaccines primarily to physicians, wholesalers, distributors and government entities. Its Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a range of veterinary pharmaceutical and vaccine products, as well as health management solutions and services, for the prevention, treatment and control of disease in all livestock and companion animal species. Its products include KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) injection, for intravenous use; WELIREG (belzutifan) tablets, for oral use; Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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