WASHINGTON, DC (April 30, 2020) — The Association for Accessible Medicines today released “A Blueprint for Enhancing the Security of the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain,” a six-element framework that lays out concrete actions that the federal government could take to ensure that U.S. patients and the U.S. health care system have access to a secure and consistent supply of critical pharmaceuticals.
This blueprint builds upon the existing generic pharmaceutical supply chain in the United States, which produces more than 60 billion doses annually and provides more than 52,000 jobs in nearly 150 manufacturing facilities across the country.
Jeffrey K. Francer, AAM’s Interim CEO and General Counsel, said:
“The generic pharmaceutical supply chain, which provides 90% of prescriptions filled in the United States, is demonstrating remarkable resiliency during the COVID-19 crisis, and AAM and its member companies are committed to applying the lessons that we have learned to make the supply chain stronger and more secure.
“The blueprint contains specific steps that Congress and the Executive Branch could take to create the capacity to manufacture critical medicines in the United States and allied countries, leading to increased national security, a reduction of dependence on any one country for key pharmaceuticals or their components, and an expanded employment base.
“AAM and its member companies look forward to working hand-in-hand with policymakers, patient groups and other industry stakeholders to create an even more secure supply chain for American patients and health care providers.”
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About AAM
AAM is driven by the belief that access to safe, quality, effective medicine has a tremendous impact on a person’s life and the world around them. Generic and biosimilar medicines improve people’s lives, improving society and the economy in turn. AAM represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals are 90 percent of prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. but only 22 percent of total drug spending.
About the Biosimilars Council
The Biosimilars Council, a division of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), works to ensure a positive environment for patient access to biosimilar medicines. The Biosimilars Council is a leading source for information about the safety and efficacy of more affordable alternatives to costly brand biologic medicines. Areas of focus include public and health expert education, strategic partnerships, government affairs, legal affairs and regulatory policy. More information is available at www.biosimilarscouncil.org.