Carter sponsors bipartisan bill to make U.S. drug supply chain self-sufficient

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) on May 19 proposed bipartisan legislation aimed at making the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain less dependent on foreign countries.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more clear than ever that America cannot continue to rely on foreign entities like China for anything, especially when it comes to life-saving medications,” Rep. Carter said. “The reason our pharmaceutical and medical supply chains are dependent on nations like China and India is simple. They can produce cheaper factories, provide lower-cost labor, utility costs and raw materials, impose fewer regulations, and more.”

Rep. Carter sponsored the Manufacturing API, Drugs, and Excipients (MADE) in America Act, H.R. 6930, with four original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), to incentivize the domestic manufacturing of drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), personal protective equipment (PPE), and diagnostics via a new tax credit for manufacturers that operate in certain American Opportunity Zones, according to the congressman’s bill summary.

“This legislation is designed to significantly reduce the advantage that foreign countries provide and encourage companies to maintain, expand or relocate their production activities back to the United States and its territories through a tax credit that will serve the most disadvantaged communities in our nation,” said Rep. Carter.

If enacted, H.R. 6930 also would include measures aimed at mitigating drug shortages, such as by improving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reporting of facility inspections, working more closely with overseas regulators, and streamlining FDA standardization processes for overseeing pharmaceutical manufacturing and the drug supply chain, according to the congressman’s bill summary.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is circulating a legislative discussion draft on the bill in the U.S. Senate.

“I appreciate Senator Scott working with me on this important mission to secure America’s pharmaceutical independence,” Rep. Carter said.

H.R. 6930 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.