JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A new federal tariff on imported, brand name prescription drugs could soon impact how much Mississippians pay at pharmacies.

President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday targeting imported brand name drugs with a 100 percent tariff, citing the U.S.’s “import reliance” as reason for the decision.

“We’re concerned about those patients not being able to afford their medications. When a patient cannot afford their medication, they tend to skip their medication. And so, a little problem can lead to a large problems with hospital visits,” said Dr. Andrew Clark, owner of Northtown Pharmacy.

Pharmacists are also worried about whether medications will be available at all.

“If their cost increase, those supply chains will be disrupted, which can lead to back order or medication shortage. And as a pharmacist, what we’re concerned about is adherence. If there’s a shortage in medication, then those patients are not adhering to those medications,” Clark said.

While the policy aims to lower drug costs by bringing more manufacturing to the U.S., pharmacists said that relief won’t happen overnight.

“I don’t see drug manufacturers moving next month. And so, you can’t go two and three months without getting medication or can’t afford those medications,” stated Clark.

Pharmacists encouraged anyone picking up prescriptions to ask about lower-cost alternatives, generics or patient assistance programs to help manage costs.

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – More than 100 judges could soon receive pay raises exceeding $10,000 under legislation now awaiting the governor’s signature.

In all, 128 judges would receive raises ranging from $11,404 to $13,877.

“We’re doing that for judges to retain good judges, to attract better lawyers to the bench to serve as judges,” said Rep. Robert Johnson, who voted in favor of the pay raise.

Proposed raises by position

Circuit and chancery court judges would receive a pay raise of $13,063, bringing their new salary to $171,063.

Presiding justices of the Supreme Court would receive a pay raise of $13,877, bringing their new salary to $190,614.

Associate justices of the Supreme Court would receive a pay raise of $13,825, bringing their new salary to $187,625.

The chief justice of the Supreme Court would receive a pay raise of $12,680, bringing the new salary to $194,171.

The chief judge of the Court of Appeals would receive a pay raise of $13,275, bringing the new salary to $182,624.

Associate judges of the Court of Appeals would receive a pay raise of $11,404, bringing their new salary to $179,871.

“We want the best people in those jobs. To attract them, you got to pay them,” Johnson said.

Teacher pay comparison

While Johnson supported the judicial pay raises, he said teachers should have also received a significant pay increase.

Lawmakers approved giving teachers and assistant teachers a $2,000 raise.

Special education teachers would get an additional $2,000, for a total raise of $4,000.

Mississippi ranks last in the country when it comes to teacher pay.

According to the National Education Association, the average teacher salary in Mississippi is $53,704.

Johnson said state leaders should find funding to give educators a thriving wage, the same way they did for judges.

“We ought to have that same philosophy, and I have that same philosophy, and I think most people do with teachers, we need to do the same thing,” Johnson said. “Now, arguably, a teacher pay raise I’m talking about would be 10 to 20 times larger because there are more teachers than there are judges. But the philosophy is the same. If you want to attract the best people, you’ve got to pay the best people.”

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk. If signed into law, the new raises would take effect July 1.

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