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Rep Anna Eshoo

Eshoo Statement on FDA’s Newly Published Essential Medications List

October 30, 2020

PALO ALTO, CA – Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) released the following statement today after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a list of essential medications:

"There is a hidden health care crisis in the U.S. that affects every American: the crippling inadequacy of our nation's drug supply due to our over-reliance on foreign countries to produce critical drugs. Our fragile drug supply chain has long been a problem, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, it's now an emergency.

"Today the FDA published a list of 223 essential medicines needed to secure the health of the nation. The U.S. relies on China for many of the drugs on the list, such as heparin, blood pressure medications, and penicillin. As part of the Heroes Act, the House passed my legislation, the Prescription for American Drug Independence Act to develop a plan to manufacture many of these drugs in the U.S. It's time now for the Senate to act."

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