Stauber Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to End Chinese Control Over Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, D.C. –This week, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) reintroduced the bipartisan Securing America's Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Act, legislation that will require American agencies to purchase drugs made in the United States and help end dependence on unreliable nations like China for the pharmaceuticals needed to save American lives. Stauber introduced this legislation with Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA).
Of this legislation, Congressman Stauber stated, "COVID-19 served as a harsh wake-up call because it exposed the dangers of our reliance on China and other foreign nations for the drugs on which so many Americans depend. We simply cannot afford to find ourselves in a similar situation ever again which is why I am proud to reintroduce my Securing America's Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Act.
Congressman Stauber followed, stating, "By requiring federal agencies to purchase American-made drugs, this bipartisan legislation will end the Communist Regime of China's tight grip on the pharmaceutical supply chain, create American jobs, and help our nation to become more resilient and self-reliant than ever before."
China is one of the top producers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are the basic components of antibiotics and other prescription drugs. Foreign export bans on these drugs and drug components amid the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of dependence on foreign nations like China.
Further, concerns over the efficacy and safety of Chinese-manufactured drugs has also been brought to light recently as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been conducting "virtual" inspections of foreign drug manufacturing facilities.
Congressman Stauber first introduced this legislation in the 116th Congress as a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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