In 2025, diagnostic laboratories are navigating a perfect storm: global supply chain disruptions and sweeping new tariff policies are colliding to reshape the economics of lab operations. These challenges—once considered exceptions—are now daily realities that require labs to rethink procurement strategies, manage risk proactively, and cultivate reliable vendor partnerships.

With new U.S. tariffs implemented earlier this year and global shipping volatility lingering post-COVID, diagnostic labs are seeing cost increases, stock shortages, and delays that affect everything from routine reagents to complex diagnostic devices. For lab managers, procurement teams, and healthcare professionals alike, the ability to forecast, plan, and adapt has become mission-critical (1).

Supply Chain Instability Is Still Affecting Healthcare

Despite the end of the COVID-19 emergency, its ripple effects continue to undermine global supply chain predictability. In 2025, clinical laboratories face familiar, yet evolving, disruptions:

• Delays and stockouts remain commonplace, leading labs to carry larger inventory buffers to avoid interruptions in patient testing.
• Geopolitical shifts and regional manufacturing challenges are further weakening supply chain resilience.
• Labs report increased difficulty sourcing critical components, including reagents, labware, and point-of-care testing devices.

According to a Becker’s Hospital Review report, 80% of healthcare providers expect supply chain challenges to worsen or persist throughout 2025. These issues aren't just logistical—they directly impact patient care and organizational performance (2).

New Tariffs Are Driving Up Costs for Lab Equipment and Materials

In early 2025, sweeping new tariffs on medical and scientific imports—ranging from a baseline 10% to over 140% on goods from China—have dramatically increased costs for diagnostic supplies (3). A baseline 10% tariff on all imports took effect April 5, and higher “reciprocal” tariffs on Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Bangladeshi, Thai, South Korean, and other products have pushed effective rates as high as ~145% for Chinese‑made lab equipment (3).

Medical devices and reagents that were previously tariff‑exempt are now subject to duties as high as 25% or more, especially for imports from China, Canada, and Mexico that do not meet USMCA compliance (3). Some life‑science firms reported quote increases of up to 20% overnight following the announcements—signaling systemic cost adjustments rather than temporary spikes (3).

In response, many procurement teams are reevaluating supplier portfolios, renegotiating terms, and facing reduced access to bulk discounts. The need to adapt to these pressures is no longer optional.

What Lab Managers Can Do to Mitigate Risk

For labs operating in this volatile environment, resilience starts with strategic planning and risk management. Key actions include:

1. Conduct Risk Assessments on Suppliers: Identify vulnerabilities in supplier portfolios by evaluating geography, political exposure, lead times, and historical performance.

2. Diversify Vendors: Redundancy is no longer a luxury—labs should build relationships with secondary and regional suppliers to pivot when disruptions occur.

3. Forecast Demand Over Longer Horizons: Proactive planning enables labs to secure product allocations and lock in pricing ahead of market fluctuations.

4. Align Procurement and Clinical Priorities: Ensure lab operations and clinical teams are aligned on critical diagnostics to prevent stockouts of high-priority testing supplies.

SEKISUI Diagnostics’ Global Perspective on Supply Stability

We understand that today’s diagnostic labs need more than just quality products—they need reliable, transparent partners who can deliver under pressure.

Our approach includes:

• Global manufacturing and logistics capabilities to ensure continuity of supply
• Transparent communication and forecasting support for better planning
• Customer-focused service that adapts to your needs in real-time

Whether you're sourcing clinical chemistry reagents or point-of-care tests like the OSOM® iFOB Test SEKISUI Diagnostics provides the insight, support, and stability labs need to stay ahead.

Reframing Supply Chain as a Strategic Priority

2025 has made one thing clear: the supply chain is no longer just a back-office concern; it’s a strategic pillar of diagnostic operations. As tariffs rise and disruptions persist, labs must:

• Prioritize supplier reliability and transparency
• Move from reactive purchasing to proactive planning
• Treat diagnostics supply chains as critical infrastructure, not commodities

For lab leaders, this is the moment to assess whether your current vendors are truly built for volatility, or if it's time to explore more stable, future-ready partnerships.

References

1. Balch, Bridget. Health care sector braces for supply chain uncertainty with changing tariff policies. AAMC. [Online] AAMC News, May 2025. https://www.aamc.org/news/health-care-sector-braces-supply-chain-uncertainty-changing-tariff-policies.
2. Murphy, Alexandra. Supply chain challenges in 2025: 5 things to know. Becker's Hospital Review. [Online] Becker's Hospital Review, December 2024. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/supply-chain/supply-chain-challenges-in-2025-5-things-to-know/.
3. Weeks, Sean. Impact of April 2025 U.S. Tarriffs on Products, Industries, and E-Commerce Sellers. eFulfillment Service. [Online] April 2025. https://www.efulfillmentservice.com/2025/04/impact-of-april-2025-u-s-tariffs-on-products-industries-and-e-commerce-sellers/.