Kirsten Gillibrand on Securing US Generic Drug Supply Chain

Dependence on Foreign Pharmaceutical Production

• ⚠️ Too many active pharmaceutical ingredients and key starting materials are currently produced outside the United States.
• 🌍 This reliance on foreign manufacturing increases the risk of Americans lacking access to lifesaving drugs during crises, thereby threatening national security.

Reforming the Generic Drug Supply Chain

• 💡 Strengthening the supply chain requires thoughtful and thorough reform, as generic drug manufacturers cannot instantly relocate all production.
• 🔬 Targeted investments in biotechnology research infrastructure are needed to provide long-term support for the critical domestic industry.
• 💰 Congress must examine market dynamics and adjust incentives to fix the "race to the bottom" in generic drug pricing, which can lead to quality issues or companies ceasing production.

Ensuring Quality and Affordability

• 🔍 Federal agencies need strengthened abilities for strict oversight of foreign manufacturing facilities to ensure supply chain integrity.
• 💰 It is crucial to ensure that drugs remain affordable for constituents, especially seniors on fixed incomes, amidst rising costs.
• ✅ The goal is to find bipartisan solutions that strengthen the generic supply chain, promote quality domestic production, and protect national security.