WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Peter Meijer (R-MI) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) today introduced H.R. 6374, the House companion to the Strengthening Supply Chains for Servicemembers and Security Act. This timely legislation is a bipartisan, bicameral response to the September Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General report recommending the U.S. government take several actions to strengthen our defense pharmaceutical supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign producers. Reps. Meijer and Houlahan join Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) who introduced this legislation in the Senate in November.
“Our country’s significant supply chain vulnerabilities have been exposed during the COVID-19 crisis, and they continue to be problematic,” said Rep. Meijer. “The Department of Defense Inspector General provided clear recommendations to combat the weaknesses specifically in our pharmaceutical supply chain, and our bill will put these policies into action. We cannot continue our foreign dependence on critical, lifesaving drugs, and I am proud to help lead the effort to reduce this dependency.”
“Our servicemembers sacrifice so much for our country, and they deserve reliable access to pharmaceuticals like antibiotics and high blood pressure medicine,” said Rep. Houlahan. “But that access is being threatened by our supply chain vulnerabilities and overreliance on foreign manufacturers. I’m glad to join this bipartisan, bicameral effort to strengthen our national security and support our troops.”
“The report from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General only confirms what was made glaringly obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic: the United States remains dangerously reliant on foreign nations for its pharmaceuticals,” said Sen. Rubio. “It is unacceptable that we do not currently have a plan in place to address these supply chain issues. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to ensure that the DoD is able to reduce its reliance on nations like China for its critical pharmaceutical needs.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the vulnerability of our nation’s supply chains, including of pharmaceutical products,” said Sen. Warren. “This poses a risk not only to public health but to our national security. I'm glad to lead this bicameral bill to ensure DoD takes steps to reduce its reliance on pharmaceuticals manufactured abroad and to strengthen its supply chains.”
Existing policy ensures critical pharmaceuticals have backup sources in the event of emergencies and/or supply chain disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has highlighted additional vulnerabilities in our supply chain logistics. This bill addresses those vulnerabilities to ensure DoD can deliver supplies including antibiotics and high blood pressure medicine to our servicemembers. It also requires additional stress testing to ensure those backup sources are ready to be called upon if needed.
The Strengthening Supply Chains for Servicemembers and Security Act would codify the six recommendations included in the DoD OIG report to address supply chain weaknesses.
Recommendation that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment:
- Develop and issue implementing guidance for DoD supply chain risk management for DoD material, which includes pharmaceuticals.
- Pursue federal legislation requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to include APIs and final drug product country of origin information of the pharmaceuticals’ lot on the pharmaceuticals’ packaging. Specifically, the legislation would require a further review of information gaps to address reliance concerns.
- Develop and publish implementing guidance for supply chain risk management specifically for pharmaceuticals.
- Create a chartered work group to assess risks to the pharmaceutical supply chain, identify the pharmaceuticals most critical to beneficiary care at DoD MTFs, and establish policy for allocating scarce pharmaceutical resources in case of a supply disruption.
- Require DLA Troop Support to coordinate annually with Military Service customers to conduct responsiveness testing of the DLA’s contingency contracts for pharmaceuticals.
- Include the contract responsiveness testing results, as reported by the Military Service customers, in the Warstopper Program annual reports.
