This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to create and maintain a list of essential medicines—drugs and ingredients critical for public health emergencies or that would significantly disrupt the healthcare system if in short supply. The Secretary must publish a proposed list within six months of the law's enactment and a final list within one year, with opportunities for public comment and regular updates thereafter. The bill also directs HHS, working with other federal agencies and private companies, to map the entire U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain to identify vulnerabilities and security threats, including creating a detailed database showing where essential medicines and their ingredients are produced, how much is made at each location, and any regulatory actions taken against producers. HHS must report to Congress on implementation progress within 18 months and annually afterward, though the sensitive supply chain data itself will not be publicly released to protect confidential business information.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.