Relative to the medical supply chain.
The resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to take action to reduce reliance on Chinese medical supply chains and encourages the production of a greater share of pharmaceuticals domestically. By promoting domestic manufacturing, the bill aims to enhance the security and reliability of the medical supply chain, which is critical for public health and safety. It reflects a growing bipartisan consensus to redirect the supply chain for pharmaceuticals away from China, focusing on creating incentives for U.S.-based manufacturers.
Senate Resolution No. 88, introduced by Senator Chang on July 2, 2020, addresses the vulnerabilities in the United States and California's medical supply chain, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution points out the significant dependence on Chinese manufacturing for essential medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, noting that the majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients and medical-grade masks were sourced from China. This dependency raises concerns about national security, especially during a global health crisis when supply chains can be disrupted.
While SR 88 does not directly propose legislative changes, it is significant in its alignment with federal proposals like the Protecting our Pharmaceutical Supply Chain from China Act of 2020, which seeks to enforce stricter regulations on pharmaceutical production sourcing. The resolution may face challenges related to potential economic impacts on trade relations with China, as well as pushback from stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry who may find domestic production costly or challenging. Additionally, ensuring the capacity for increased U.S. manufacturing could require substantial investment and planning.