Amid inflation spike, execs at J&J, Bayer, GSK and more talk higher costs—and what it means for profits

While inflation is top of consumers' minds right now, pharma companies are also feeling the pain of higher prices when it comes to profit margins. During recent discussions with analysts, execs with Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline and more talked about the higher prices facing their businesses.

At Viatris, the effect of higher costs appears clear-cut, as inflation played a role in lower-than-expected profits for 2022. This week, CEO Michael Goettler said it was "not an easy decision" to publish earnings guidance lower than analysts and investors had anticipated.