Warren, Smith reintroduce bill to strengthen US pharmaceutical supply chains

Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Tina Smith (Minn.) are reintroducing legislation aimed at strengthening U.S. pharmaceutical supply chains, warning the U.S. is overly relying on other countries for medications.

The Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Defense and Enhancement Act was first introduced in 2020, not long after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was spurred by concerns over the U.S.'s pharmaceutical supply chain resilience.

The provisions of the bill include:

Requiring the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the secretary of Defense to put together a list of what the bill calls "critical drugs," those that are deemed essential for public health and national security.
$1 billion to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority every year for five years to enhance the national manufacturing capacity of "critical drugs" and lower domestic production costs.
Requiring the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Bureau of Prisons to purchase American-made drugs and providing the necessary funding to buy said drugs.

Additionally, the legislation would also require drugmakers to provide an annual report to the FDA regarding the source of their pharmaceutical ingredients used for products sold in the U.S. The Federal Trade Commission would also be ordered to produce a report on the impacts of foreign investment in the United States’s pharmaceutical industry, in consultation with the Department of Commerce.

"A strong, reliable supply chain for life-saving drugs will prevent shortages and protect American families," Warren said in a statement. "This bill will end our overreliance on foreign countries and give us the tools we need to produce the critical drugs that millions of Americans depend on here at home."

Smith said the need to address supply chain vulnerabilities is a "matter of public health and national security."

"I'm glad to work with Senator Warren on this bill that strengthens our country's capacity to manufacture critical drugs on U.S. soil and closes gaps in our supply chain," added Smith. "This will help lessen our over-reliance on other countries and make sure Americans can get the drugs they need."

The U.S.'s domestic supply chain suffered a severe blow earlier this year when Hurricane Helene temporarily shut down a North Carolina facility that supplied the majority of intravenous solutions used in the U.S. The shutdown compromised thousands of patients' care and led to the FDA approving temporary imports of IV solutions from abroad.

Topics

FedEx CEO touts company's 'scaled network' as supply chain challenges loom with Trump presidency

FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam said his company can do well even if there is a supply chain shakeup.
CNBC - 21h
Humphrey’s world: how the Samuel Smith beer baron built Britain’s strangest pub chain

Since the 1970s, Humphrey Smith has acquired scores of pubs and historic properties around the UK. But time after time, he has left the buildings empty. Why has he allowed his empire to moulder?. ...
The Guardian - 1d
Sen. Warren pushes bill to make it easier to declare bankruptcy

Sen. Elizabeth Warren says Americans seeking debt relief face an overly complicated, costly bankruptcy system.
CBS News - 2d
Emotionally Intelligent People Use 3 Simple Phrases to Stop Passive-Aggressive Behavior, Get Respect, and Strengthen Their Relationships

The best leaders learn how to use the power of positive self-talk to change their behavior and build trust.
Inc. - 6d
Hackers Claim to Have Stolen Data From Supply Chain Company Blue Yonder

After an attack in November, a ransomware group says it still has hundreds of gigabytes of confidential data and continues to make threats. It’s a harsh reminder to beef up your company’s ...
Inc. - Dec. 9
Supply chains too often “last cog” implemented in clinical trials

Yahoo News - Dec. 9
US agriculture officials mandate testing of milk supply for bird flu

USDA will test raw milk in attempt to stop spread of virus as more than 700 dairy herds infected since March. America’s national milk supply must be tested for the bird flu virus under a new ...
The Guardian - Dec. 6
OpenAI Is Working With Anduril to Supply the US Military With AI

The ChatGPT maker is the latest AI giant to reveal it’s working with the defense industry, following similar announcements by Meta and Anthropic.
Wired - Dec. 4
How a Fast-Growing Wellness Franchise Navigated a Supply Chain Snag

Prime IV Hydration & Wellness is charting rapid growth—and founder Amy Neary isn’t letting any obstacles slow it down.
Inc. - Dec. 2