As concerns grip our country regarding the coronavirus, I see a larger concern that seems to be in the background. Do you realize that how much of our pharmaceutical products are produced in China? Any guess? As I research this topic, it makes me uncomfortable knowing how much we rely on China. As noted below, China has 80% of the U.S. antibiotic market. Eighty Percent!!!! Therefore, we need China to provide our medication and protect our health. As I’ll describe below, the U.S. is at risk with China over pharmaceuticals, and we need to protect ourselves.
China Has Cornered the U.S. Market on Antibiotics
From Politico, (https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/20/policymakers-worry-china-drug-exports-088126), last year, China accounted for 95 percent of U.S. imports of ibuprofen, 91 percent of U.S. imports of hydrocortisone, 70 percent of U.S. imports of acetaminophen, 40 to 45 percent of U.S. imports of penicillin and 40 percent of U.S. imports of heparin, according to Commerce Department data. In all, 80 percent of the U.S. supply of antibiotics are made in China. They are starting to corner the market on generic drugs that we use, and the public is glad to pay it. The original costs for the brand name medications push the public to buy those. We have removed ourselves from producing pharmaceuticals and turned it over to China. This can be a risk if they dominate necessary drugs needed.
What if China Withholds the Drugs?
When we rely on a world rival for life threatening antibiotics, we can place this into a potential weapon to be used against the American public. Here is a NBC article (I know) – https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/u-s-officials-worried-about-chinese-control-american-drug-supply-n1052376. The author does a good job relating the risk we have by relying on outside countries especially those who disagree with us politically. So when China wants harm our people, they can withholding necessary medications for our people. And they can do this without firing one weapon. A risk exists that a virus is created that infects millions while ransoming the antibiotics that would cure it. Small risk, but possible.
What Does the U.S. Need to Reduce the Risk?
The country needs to examine the increase in antibiotic production here. It might be more costly, but it would help eliminate or reduce this reliance on one country. Of course, if this wouldn’t be possible, we diversify purchases from various countries. We look for other nations that would provide necessary ingredients or medication, so we don’t have only one producer. This helps to reduce the risk the country going forward. It’s not only an economic decision, but it gets to be a life saving situation. Hopefully, we can reduce the U.S. risk with pharmaceuticals coming from China.
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