U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) on June 16 sponsored the bipartisan, bicameral MADE in America Act, which would address vulnerabilities in the United States pharmaceutical supply chain.
“As we rebound from the pandemic, it is crucial that we act on the lessons learned through a year of supply chain shortages that left Americans vulnerable,” said Sen. Scott. “We cannot continue to rely on adversarial countries like China for lifesaving drugs and crucial medical supplies.”
The Manufacturing API, Drugs, and Excipients (MADE) in America Act, S. 2082/H.R. 3927, would provide a new tax credit for U.S. manufacturers that operate in certain American Opportunity Zones to mitigate drug shortages and incentivize the domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), drugs, personal protective equipment (PPE), and diagnostics, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“We simply can no longer be dependent on our enemies for anything, especially medications,” Rep. Carter said. “America must secure pharmaceutical independence.”
Sen. Scott introduced S. 2082 with original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV). In the House of Representatives, Rep. Carter introduced H.R. 3927 with original cosponsors including U.S. Reps. Tom Rice (R-SC) and Darren Soto (D-FL).
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), roughly 72 percent of API used in the U.S. drug supply are manufactured in more than 150 countries, with 13 percent coming from China alone.
“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,” Rep. Carter said.
If enacted, the measure also would include specific measures aimed at mitigating drug shortages, including improving FDA reporting of facility inspections, working more closely with overseas regulators, and streamlining FDA standardization processes for overseeing pharmaceutical manufacturing and the supply chain, the bill summary says.
“I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan MADE in America Act to incentivize drug manufacturing right here in the U.S. instead of shipping abroad our manufacturing needs and the jobs that come with them,” Rep. Rice said. “This tax credit will address vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain while making our public health and national security stronger and more resilient.”