WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the wake of ongoing shortages of essential medications, Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today led a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra calling on the department to prioritize American-made pharmaceuticals in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
In the letter, the members write: "Our SNS is far too dependent on foreign countries for medication, supplies, and more, especially China and India. If one of these foreign countries were to cut off the supply of drugs or active pharmaceutical ingredients, American lives could hang in the balance."
The members continue: "As Americans continue to face drug shortages, including shortages of lifesaving antibiotics like Amoxicillin...Prioritizing American made manufacturing of essential medicines will be a lifesaving practice for the United States.”
Co-signors include: Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Mike Carey (R-OH), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Jenniffer González-Colon (R-PR), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Donald Davis (D-NC), and Nancy Mace (R-SC).
Read the full letter here.
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