The role of the US government in drug supply chain reliability

Thursday, April 10, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. EDT 
Location: United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Spalding Auditorium, 12601 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD 20852

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Pharmaceutical shortages are at 10-year peak, with over 120 drugs on FDA’s drug shortage list. Recent shortages have included saline, chemotherapy drugs, amoxicillin, and lifesaving emergency drugs. These shortages can undermine patient care, endangering patient health and lives through delays in treatment, rationing of essential drugs, potential substitution with less effective alternatives, and increased risk of medication errors. The quantity and persistence of these shortages have led to concerns about the underlying cause: the U.S. drug supply chain.

On April 10, the Center on Health Policy at Brookings will convene a discussion over the role of the U.S. government in drug supply chain reliability. The first panel will discuss what has historically driven shortages and how changes in government policies have impacted shortage risk and supply chain resiliency. A fireside chat will provide a case study of the recent saline shortage that followed a temporary facility closure due to flooding from Hurricane Helene. The second panel will then discuss where we go next: What role should onshoring play in addressing drug supply chain reliability? Will tariffs help or hurt?

This event is part of a broader Center on Health Policy portfolio on drug supply chains.

Viewers joined the conversation and asked questions of the speakers by emailing events@brookings.edu or on X/Twitter @BrookingsEcon using the hashtag #DrugSupply.

The event will take place in person at USP located at 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The event will also be livestreamed.