WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) launched the Important Medicines Strategic Stockpile Act to fight drug shortages and scale back the nation’s dependence on China for prescription drugs.
The invoice, additionally launched by the pair within the 117th Congress, would require the Division of Well being and Human Companies to ascertain an inventory of fifty generic drugs which can be important in public well being emergencies, the identical method the U.S. has a reserve of oil for energy-related emergencies.
“COVID-19 made it abundantly clear that the USA can’t depend on China for the security and safety of our drug provide chain,” mentioned Rep. Carter. “When a mother or father goes to the shop and sees an empty shelf the place amoxicillin ought to be, the emergency stockpile of important medicines is not an thought, it’s a life-saving measure. This step will strengthen our nation’s well being, safety, and emergency response readiness. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Blunt Rochester for spearheading this laws with me.”
“As we noticed all through the pandemic, one among our best public well being challenges is guaranteeing that sufferers have dependable entry to important generic medicines,” mentioned Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to affix Congressman Carter in introducing crucial laws that may guarantee Individuals have sustained entry to life-saving, crucial drugs throughout nationwide emergencies.”
Learn the complete textual content of the invoice right here.
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