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You may have seen or heard that 80 percent of America's drug supply comes from China.
I went looking for the source of that statistic -- and I found that no one seems to know where it comes from https://reason.com/2020/04/06/why-you-shouldnt-trust-anyone-who-claims-80-percent-of-americas-drugs-come-from-china/
I went looking for the source of that statistic -- and I found that no one seems to know where it comes from https://reason.com/2020/04/06/why-you-shouldnt-trust-anyone-who-claims-80-percent-of-americas-drugs-come-from-china/
As far as I can tell, that number is based on a misreading of a single government report that says no such thing—and, in fact, suggests the opposite.
At very best, it omits crucial context. At worst, it simply misleads. https://reason.com/2020/04/06/why-you-shouldnt-trust-anyone-who-claims-80-percent-of-americas-drugs-come-from-china/
At very best, it omits crucial context. At worst, it simply misleads. https://reason.com/2020/04/06/why-you-shouldnt-trust-anyone-who-claims-80-percent-of-americas-drugs-come-from-china/
The unspoken part of this "80 percent" statistic is the idea that China could "weaponize" our dependence on their drugs.
But even in the middle of a pandemic, experts say the few drug shortages we're experiencing have to do with surging global demand -- not China choking us off.
But even in the middle of a pandemic, experts say the few drug shortages we're experiencing have to do with surging global demand -- not China choking us off.
What DOES the data tell us? Far from being too dependent on China, the US has a diverse and global supply chain for pharmaceutical drugs.
According to the FDA, there are only three drugs on the WHO essential medicines list whose active ingredients are sourced entirely in China.
In 2018, the US imported more than $115 billion of finished pharmaceutical products. Only $1.5 billion of that total came from China.
In 2018, the US imported more than $115 billion of finished pharmaceutical products. Only $1.5 billion of that total came from China.
But don't let facts get in the way of a good story.
Part of the CARES Act instructs HHS to develop "strategies to…encourage domestic manufacturing" of pharmaceutical drugs.
In other words, give subsidies to drug companies. https://reason.com/2020/04/06/why-you-shouldnt-trust-anyone-who-claims-80-percent-of-americas-drugs-come-from-china/
Part of the CARES Act instructs HHS to develop "strategies to…encourage domestic manufacturing" of pharmaceutical drugs.
In other words, give subsidies to drug companies. https://reason.com/2020/04/06/why-you-shouldnt-trust-anyone-who-claims-80-percent-of-americas-drugs-come-from-china/
