AdvaMed Supports Biden’s COVID-19 Strategy

AdvaMed has sent a letter to President Biden, affirming the medical device industry’s support for the administration’s COVID-19 strategy but urging the president to speak directly with device companies before invoking the Defense Production Act.

Some of the most pressing supply-chain challenges throughout the pandemic are less about overall capacity and more about allocation, distribution and “last mile” roadblocks, said AdvaMed President Scott Whitaker.

“Even prior to government directives, this industry mobilized quickly to ramp up to 24/7 production of the [personal protection equipment], ventilators, COVID-19 tests and vaccine supplies our healthcare system would need to save lives.” Whitaker said, adding that the industry immediately established partnerships with federal and state governments to ensure that needed equipment went to where it was needed most.  

The industry is “deeply familiar with what works, what doesn’t and which actions would ultimately prove counterproductive,” he said.