Medicines' Oil Vulnerability, NIH Funding Cuts, and U.S.-Zambia Negotiation Roadblocks
June 26, 2026
Editors' Note
On June 17, the United States and Iran signed an agreement outlining terms to end the Iran war, including an immediate and permanent ceasefire and a commitment to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to prewar levels within 30 days. Recent reports already indicate increased traffic through the strait since the signing of the agreement, with oil and some petrochemical prices showing signs of easing.
To open this week's newsletter, CFR Senior Fellow Prashant Yadav and Research Associate Anya Hirschfeld analyze how the war has disrupted the pharmaceutical supply chain, and examine shocks to upstream inputs used in everyday drug manufacturing and distribution that could continue to affect drug costs and availability.
Next, the United States and Zambia failed to reach an agreement last month that would provide funding for Zambia's health programs. The International Vaccine Access Center's Executive Director William Moss outlines the importance of continuing negotiations for much-needed support for Zambian health initiatives addressing malaria, HIV/AIDS, and vaccinations.
Also hindering HIV prevention, the Trump administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 included a $5 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health, the single largest funder of HIV vaccine research worldwide. AVAC's Director of Research Engagement Stacey Hannah and Executive Director Mitchell Warren argue that cuts to research and aid could undermine the global HIV response.
Until next week!—Allison Krugman, Associate Editor, Data Visuals and Aly Martinez, Research Associate
AVAC leaders warn that the Trump administration's proposed funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health could derail the vaccine needed to end HIV
