Amid persistent drug shortages and concerns over reliance on foreign supply chains, U.S. senators are advocating for the Department of Defense (DOD) to take a more active role in pharmaceutical manufacturing as a matter of national security. The call to action comes as nearly half the drugs on the DOD’s operational medicines list are in shortage, prompting legislative proposals to ensure the military can independently meet its pharmaceutical needs.
During an April 30 hearing, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., highlighted the issue, stating, “It’s a critical national defense issue. It’s also critical to the health of our people.” Warren is planning to introduce a bill directing the DOD to manufacture drugs, devices, vaccines, and other medical products when faced with risks of shortages or quality concerns. The military’s pharmaceutical expenditure, topping $5 billion annually, accounts for approximately 2% of the U.S. commercial pharmaceutical market.
The military’s unique medical requirements often do not align with commercial market demands, leading to situations where certain drugs are not commercially available because there’s no civilian market for them. These include medications for infectious diseases like anthrax and botulism, as well as the adenovirus vaccine, crucial for preventing serious respiratory illnesses in service members, particularly during basic training.
The adenovirus vaccine’s manufacturing challenges came to the fore when the last supply was depleted in the 1998-1999 period after the sole manufacturer ceased production. This incident led to thousands of preventable infections and hospitalizations, as recounted by Bryce H.P. Mendez of the Congressional Research Service.
Experts, including Melissa Barber from Yale, argue for government-owned facilities to ensure reliable access to vital medications. Barber indicated that such a facility would not only provide quality drugs for service members but also generate significant cost savings. Referencing an Army report, she noted that while the government currently pays about $38 million annually for the adenovirus vaccine, a DOD-operated manufacturing plant would break even in about three years, after an estimated startup cost of $100 million and annual operational costs of $10 million.
The senators and defense officials expressed serious concerns over the safety and availability of drugs sourced from foreign manufacturers. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. emphasized the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic about the dangers of depending on non-allied countries for essential medical supplies.
The Defense Department is working on assessing its pharmaceutical supply chain and developing policies to handle disruptions. Officials and lawmakers agree on the importance of repatriating drug manufacturing to ensure the safety of the military’s pharmaceutical supply and to mitigate risks associated with foreign dependency, particularly in times of crisis.
Relevant articles:
– Will DOD need to start producing some medicines to protect troops?, Air Force Times
– Will DOD need to start producing some medicines to protect troops?, Yahoo
– FACT SHEET: President Biden Issues Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, The White House (.gov)