Cassidy’s bipartisan bill aims to bolster U.S. supply of generic antibiotics

Bipartisan legislation recently proposed by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) would establish a federal grant program to support the manufacturing and stockpiling of essential generic antibiotic drugs in the United States.

Sen. Cassidy on April 15 joined bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) to introduce the Onshoring Essential Antibiotics Act, S. 1176, which aims to improve the United States’ supply chain for antibiotics and address the threat of antibiotic resistance, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Cassidy’s office. 

“China cutting off our supply of antibiotics during a pandemic, like they did with PPE, would be catastrophic,” Sen. Cassidy said on Monday. “This legislation brings production back to the U.S., creating jobs and strengthening our defense against future outbreaks.” 

If enacted, S. 1176 would provide $500 million in federal grants to improve the domestic supply chain of generic antibiotics by expanding, upgrading or recommissioning existing manufacturing facilities in the U.S., constructing new manufacturing facilities in the U.S., and allowing the the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to stockpile domestically produced antibiotics, according to the summary.

The bill also would authorize $2 million to commission a study to determine which antibiotics are most vulnerable to foreign supply chain disruptions, the summary says. 

The measure has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.