Supply Chain Coalition Urges White House to Use Caution in COVID-19 Response

A group representing the drug supply chain is strongly arguing that a proposed executive order to only supply drugs domestically could mean that Americans won’t have access to the drugs they need.

In a letter to the White House and Congress, the coalition, representing manufacturers, generic advocates, pharmacies, PBMs and health care companies, says the proposed “Buy American” order could have “an immediate and detrimental impact” on patients that get their drugs from government-funded health programs. A significant portion of drugs consumed in the U.S. come from China and India.

The group also warned that sharply higher shipping costs, “upward of 400 to 500 percent,” being imposed by airlines during the COVID-19 crisis could make some drugs unaffordable for Americans.  The coalition is urging the administration to clamp down on airlines to ensure they are charging reasonable prices to ship medical products.

The letter from the coalition also addressed the issue of some COVID-19 treatments being redistributed away from patients who need those drugs for existing diseases.

“As drugs are identified as potential treatments for COVID-19, the demand may outstrip the supply,” the coalition said. “It is imperative we balance the need to find drugs that may be helpful to treat COVID-19 while still making them reasonably available to patients who currently rely on them for established treatment.”

Read the letter here: www.fdanews.com/03-31-20-Letter.pdf. — James Miessler