U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order on drug pricing threatens Roche's planned $50 billion investment in the United States, the company said on Wednesday. Trump's order, signed on Monday, directs drugmakers to lower prices of brand-name medicines to align with those in other wealthy nations.

The president has long complained that the United States pays more for medicines than other wealthy countries. But he offered no clear legal authority to mandate lower prices.

Countries with universal healthcare systems have stronger bargaining power, which has allowed them to effectively negotiate lower drug prices.