AstraZeneca has lost its position as the most valuable company in the UK following an announcement by President Trump to significantly lower the prices of prescription drugs in the U.S. The policy aims to reduce drug costs by 30% to 80%, aligning them with prices in other developed countries. This "most favored nation" policy mandates that the U.S. pays no more than the lowest global price for medications.
The announcement had a notable impact on the global pharmaceutical market. According to Reuters, AstraZeneca's shares fell by 3.3% amidst a broader market selloff affecting worldwide pharmaceutical stocks. Before this downturn, AstraZeneca's market capitalization had peaked at £200 billion, securing its place as the UK's most valuable company.
As of May 12, 2025, AstraZeneca's stock is trading at $67.57, marking a decline of 0.35% from the previous close. This reflects the broader challenges the company is facing in the wake of recent shifts in U.S. drug pricing policy. These market changes underscore the volatility and significant impacts of policy shifts on pharmaceutical valuations.