I am an ER physician and supply chain issues and shortages of critical medications and supplies puts patients at risk. Why not have a panel of physicians and nurses make a thorough list of the most crucial medications and supplies. Then over the course of the next 3-5 years ramp up domestic production so that 80-90% (or more) of each of those meds & supplies is required to be produced within the USA. Then to protect against a regional disaster creating a shortage there can be 4 to 5 regional manufacturing hubs with production limited to no more than 25-30% of the total supply at each hub. If a disaster destroys a hub, there are 3 to 4 other hubs within the USA that can ramp up production to diffuse shortages. Relying on one facility to produce the vast majority of a critical supply leaves Americans vulnerable. Relying on foreign countries like China weakens us, threatens our supplies, and threatens the quality of our most crucial medications and supplies.
Michael Summerfield, DO