Toward protecting national and health security, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) recently introduced a bipartisan bill that would require a federal assessment and updated guidance regarding America’s reliance on its foreign adversaries for critical drugs and their key ingredients.
“China’s stranglehold on critical pharmaceutical ingredients the U.S. depends on poses a national security threat,” Sen. Ernst said on Tuesday. “By taking action now, we can protect the health of our citizens in the future.”
Specifically, the Pharmaceutical Risk Assessment and Mitigation Act, S. 4635, which Sen. Ernst cosponsored on July 8 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), would require a report from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) that assesses the department’s reliance on China and other hostile foreign countries for key ingredients in drug supply chains.
“Through the Pharmaceutical Risk Assessment and Mitigation Act, I am working to strengthen the supply chain and reduce our reliance on our adversary,” said Sen. Ernst.
Additionally, S. 4635 would mandate an interagency risk management assessment to identify weak points and ensure Americans are not reliant on adversaries for life-saving medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are the key ingredients that give a drug its intended effect, the summary says.
“My bipartisan legislation ensures the Department of Defense will continue to rigorously assess its pharmaceutical supply chains to pinpoint vulnerabilities that could lead to supply chain disruptions and drug shortages,” said Sen. Peters. “With this information, we can take more informed steps toward mitigating these risks and ensuring a stable supply of critical medications for our service members and people across the country.”