U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) pressed pharmaceutical and national security experts Wednesday on how to reduce American dependence on Chinese drug manufacturing, warning that the current supply chain leaves the country dangerously exposed.
Tuberville participated in a Senate Committee on Aging hearing focused on China’s control over the American pharmaceutical supply chain, questioning witnesses on regulatory failures, tariff options, and the urgency of returning drug manufacturing to the United States.
Rosemary Gibson, who has written extensively on pharmaceutical supply chains, told Tuberville that China controls approximately 90% of key starting materials used to make generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Asked what would happen if China cut off those exports, Gibson’s answer was stark.
“A lot of people would die in this country,” Gibson said. “Our healthcare systems would cease to function.”
Gibson argued the United States is effectively importing unregulated pharmaceutical products and said the solution is using quality data from Department of Defense testing to exclude manufacturers from countries that do not meet American standards.
Gordon Chang, another witness at the hearing, said breaking China’s pharmaceutical monopoly would require emergency action and could not happen overnight.
“China has been able to outmaneuver the FDA because they do have such a big monopoly on all parts of the chain,” Chang said. “The only way to do that is to break that monopoly. Unfortunately, this is going to take some time. But it is possible.”
Chang said Section 232 tariffs, an enhanced investment tax credit, and invoking the Defense Production Act could help stimulate domestic pharmaceutical production.
He warned that within two to three years the United States faces a period of extreme vulnerability if action is not taken.
Tuberville also highlighted the Clear Labels Act, legislation signed onto by GOP colleagues, including fellow Alabama U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), that would require drug labels to disclose the country of origin of ingredients.
Former Congressman Ted Yoho, who also testified, framed the issue in national security terms.
“We’d be beholden to another country, i.e. China,” Yoho said. “This is something it’s imperative that we get right.”
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
