On 5 November 2024, Americans cast their votes to elect the next president. The race came down to Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with Trump emerging as the winner and becoming the 47th President of the United States. During his campaign, Trump made numerous promises about the nation's future, raising questions about how his presidency might influence the medical industry. In particular, the overturning of Roe versus Wade, combined with other policy pledges from Trump, could have far-reaching effects on reproductive health, regulatory frameworks, and innovation within the medical field.

While Roe versus Wade was overturned in 2022, the state of abortion policies in the US still vary and are still uncertain. Toward the end of his campaign, Trump said that individual states should determine their own policies, but his position has changed several times throughout his campaign. In March, he supported a nationwide abortion ban after 15 weeks gestation, and his vice president-elect, JD Vance, has also alluded to his support of a national law limiting abortion. The inconsistencies within the campaign have made it difficult to say exactly what a Trump victory means for abortion and reproductive health in general. However, there are some precautionary measures many women will take in case of restrictive regulations.

Since the overturning of Roe versus Wade, many states have already enacted restrictive abortion laws, but more may follow suit in the coming months and years, especially if there is a nationwide ban. In this case, it is likely that the demand for devices used in abortion procedures (such as aspiration devices and ultrasound equipment) will be reduced. Similarly, many states could see an increased demand for contraceptive devices to reduce the likelihood of unwanted pregnancies. According to GlobalData, the volume of reversible contraceptive devices is expected to increase at a 2.53% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the US from 2023–33. Reversible contraceptive devices in this case refer to diaphragms, hormonal implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

The market for reversible contraceptive devices in the US is already increasing, and the CAGR will likely grow if more restrictive abortion bans are put in place, whether it is by state or nationwide. However, medical device companies could face other issues, such as regulatory and research barriers, if bans are put in place.

Medical device companies operating across the US could face a patchwork of state laws if abortion continues to be left to the states. This could complicate the marketing and distribution of reproductive health devices, and ultimately increase compliance and regulatory uncertainty. Additionally, restrictions on abortion could limit access to tissue samples used in health research, potentially slowing innovation in areas like fetal development and maternal health. As a result, there may be a shift in investment focus, as companies may pivot to developing devices for contraception, fertility treatments, or maternal health rather than abortion-related technologies.

While there may be a lot of changes coming to the US reproductive health market, the overall impact will vary depending on a company’s product portfolio, geographical market, and stance on reproductive health issues.