Emergency Medicine Stockpile (The Hill) - Millions of Americans are feeling the impact of drug shortages, from children’s Tylenol to amoxicillin. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of our drug supply chains, underscoring America’s reliance on foreign — even hostile — nations for our most crucial medicines.Absent policy action, Americans will continue to weather these life-threatening shortages. We know this because, unfortunately, it is nothing new... Generic drugs represent roughly 90 percent of all medications dispensed or administered. Unfortunately, manufacturers face adverse market incentives to make those drugs here. As a result of long and “just in time” global supply chains, generic drugs are often the most likely to go into shortage, especially when demand increases exponentially in a matter of days or weeks. That is exactly what happened when demand surged in the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in shortages of the most common, low-cost drugs on the market, to the detriment of American patients.From every setback there are steps forward. Working together through several legal and rule changes, Congress, the executive branch, and corporations can help prevent future shortages...The Essential Medicines Strategic Stockpile Act (EMSSA) would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a list of 50 generic medications that are essential in public health emergencies, the same way the U.S. has a reserve of oil for energy-related emergencies. This bill allows the U.S. government to harness the innovation of the private sector by contracting with HHS to stockpile crucial medicines within their own supply chains. Companies could also be required to continuously cycle additional medicines through their supply chain to avoid any expiration issues while maintaining a six-month supply of the product that the federal government can access at any moment.Read my full op-ed with Rep. Blunt Rochester here.
(The Hill) - Millions of Americans are feeling the impact of drug shortages, from children’s Tylenol to amoxicillin. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of our drug supply chains, underscoring America’s reliance on foreign — even hostile — nations for our most crucial medicines.
Absent policy action, Americans will continue to weather these life-threatening shortages. We know this because, unfortunately, it is nothing new...
Generic drugs represent roughly 90 percent of all medications dispensed or administered. Unfortunately, manufacturers face adverse market incentives to make those drugs here. As a result of long and “just in time” global supply chains, generic drugs are often the most likely to go into shortage, especially when demand increases exponentially in a matter of days or weeks.
That is exactly what happened when demand surged in the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in shortages of the most common, low-cost drugs on the market, to the detriment of American patients.
buddy's briefing
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're coming to you from the Department of Energy to discuss the Strategic Petroleum Response Act House Republicans passed this week.
in case you missed it
(Military.com) - Tricare beneficiaries are no longer guaranteed access to their medication. Service members and their families who rely on their pharmacist for critical care, such as cancer treatments or knowledge of their medical history, are now forced to seek that treatment elsewhere.
The Biden administration has tools at its disposal to stop this. Instead, it is turning a blind eye.
Express Scripts Inc., a pharmacy benefit manager for the Tricare program while serving as a mail-order and specialty pharmacy itself, made the pocket-lining move of reducing the number of Tricare's in-network pharmacies by almost 15,000 on Oct. 24. Additionally, Kroger has announced that its pharmacies will no longer be in network because the medication reimbursement rates offered by Express Scripts are less than the cost of the medications.
As a result, nearly a quarter of a million men and women of the United States armed forces, military retirees and their families are at risk of losing access to necessary prescription drugs and treatment. Since that date, beneficiaries in rural communities have been left with no local options for filling their prescriptions.
These brave men and women dedicated their lives to defending our freedoms. We're repaying them with a health care system that puts profits ahead of people.
Monday, January 23, 2023: It was a very busy weekend in the district as I attended the Commanding General’s New Year Reception at Fort Stewart on Saturday as a guest of Major General Charles Costanza, Commanding General of the Third Infantry Division.
Later in the afternoon, I headed to the St. Simons Land Trust’s Annual Oyster Roast at Gascoigne Bluff Park on St. Simons Island in Glynn County.
On Sunday, I participated in the Habitat for Humanity of Camden County Polar Golf Classic in St. Marys where I met the latest homeowners of one of this great group’s projects.
I’m up early this morning and at the airport where I fly to Atlanta and speak at the Georgia Association of Home Health Agencies annual meeting in Northwest Atlanta. This important group is the voice of Georgia’s home care providers that provide in-home health care and supportive services to Georgia residents.
Afterwards, I have a great meeting with Darel Preble, the President and Executive Director for the Space Solar Power Institute to discuss space solar power and low-cost electric power. After a fascinating discussion of an area with limitless potential, I head to a meeting with representatives from the N.A. Williams Company, an outsourced sales rep provider for manufacturers of Auto Care products, as well as representatives from the Auto Care Association.
After a great day of visits, I head back to the airport where I fly up to Washington for the week.
Commanding General’s New Year Reception at Fort Stewart
Tuesday, January 24, 2023: I’m up early again this morning and at the Cannon Rotunda at the Capitol as I have a live interview on Mornings with Maria to discuss the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), debt ceiling, and the Fair Tax Act legislation that I have introduced again this session.
Once back in my office, I have a virtual interview with CBN News to discuss the Fair Tax Act followed by an in-office interview with Medill News Service to discuss the Pharmacist Conscience Protection Act that I have introduced to address the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) change in rules regarding dispensing abortion pills.
Later, I head to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Andy Morris, Jr. who ran Skipper’s, one of my favorite restaurants in the District before his untimely passing, BB Flynn from Denison, TX who also recently passed, First Bryan Baptist Church in Savannah who will celebrate their 235th anniversary this year, and Tom Fanning, who will be retiring as the CEO of Southern Company soon.
After a meeting off the Hill with my good friend and original campaign staff member Philip Fordham, I head back to my office where I have a meeting with representatives from TikTok before meeting with representatives from Boeing to discuss Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
Next, I join in on our all staff conference call before meeting with representatives from the Congressional Excellence Program and then heading back off Capitol Hill for a reception hosted by the Georgia State Society and Georgia Business Council to welcome Georgia delegation members to the 118th Congress.
Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and afterwards remain in the Chamber where I pay tribute to my long-time friend, Cecil Abarr from Savannah, who passed last fall.
Meeting with Phillip Fordham
Wednesday, January 25, 2023: My day starts with a meeting of the Western Caucus where we discuss our priorities for the upcoming session followed by our weekly GOP Conference meeting.
Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to the University of Georgia on the opening of their state-of-the-art poultry facility, the State of Georgia on being in the top 10 nationally of LEED certification, and the Georgia Ports Authority on their record setting year last year.
Next, I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) roundtable discussion on Fentanyl and Big Tech before heading back to my office where I have a meeting with Curio Nuclear Recycling to hear the latest on their innovative methods to recycle nuclear waste.
After attending the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) weekly meeting, I head back to my office for a meeting with my good friend and constituent, Ken Quinn with IAL, a company that works out of the Brunswick port transporting military members vehicles who are stationed overseas.
Next, I attend an E&C briefing on over-the-counter drug shortages before heading to an E&C Republican organizing meeting where I find out that I will remain on the Health, Environment and Communications & Technology subcommittees. I am also delighted to learn that I will be serving as Vice Chairman of the Communications & Technology Subcommittee.
Once back in my office, I meet with members of the Turkish American Community from Georgia who are visiting the Capitol this week, before meeting with representatives from Alexion, a pharmaceutical company specializing in rare disease cures.
After a meeting with Verax Biomedical, a company that specializes in platelet bacterial contamination detection in cells and tissues intended for transfusion and transplantation, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day. Afterwards, I remain in the Chamber and pay tribute to the University of Georgia for their success in raising retention rates of students this past year.
Once back in my office, I have an on-camera interview with Nexstar to discuss the Fair Tax Act that I have introduced.
Meeting with Alexion
Thursday, January 26, 2023: After our weekly GOP Doctor’s Caucus meeting where we welcome leadership from the American Medical Association, I head to our first meeting of this session of the Budget Committee, where we discuss our goals and plans for the session.
Next, I head to an E&C roundtable discussion on energy security before heading to my office where I meet with Incyte CEO Herve Hoppenot to discuss PBM reforms.
Later, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on HR 21, The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) Act that is being debated and will be voted on tomorrow.
Once back in my office, I join in on our all staff conference call before having a phone interview with the Washington Post to discuss the Fair Tax Act.
Next, I head to a meeting with my E&C colleague, Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) who is serving as Chairman of the Communications and Technology subcommittee as we discuss our plans and priorities for the subcommittee during this upcoming session.
After heading to a member level briefing with Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Administrator Billy Nolan to discuss the FAA NOTAM system failure that occurred a few weeks ago, I head to the Department of Energy downtown where I film this week's edition of Buddy’s Briefing.
Once back at the Capitol, I head straight to the House Chamber where I manage debate on amendments to the SPR Act and remain afterwards for our first vote series of the day that includes 24 votes. After the vote series I have a phone interview on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins to discuss the Fair Tax Act.
Friday, January 27, 2023: I’m on the radio first thing this morning with my good friend Scott Ryfun as we discuss the Fair Tax Act followed by another radio interview with Breitbart Radio to discuss the same subject matter.
Next, I head to our weekly E&C member meeting before heading to the House Chamber for a vote series that includes a whopping 33 votes.
During the vote series I meet with Mayor Muftah Ahmad from Libya who conveys to me the importance to U. S. strategic interests of his country.
After our vote series I remain in the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Brantley County First Responders who last week saved a number of victims from drug overdoses with their heroic work.
Before leaving the House Chamber, I lead a special order to discuss the TRICARE prescription program covering our Veterans and their families. Recently, Express Scripts, Inc., has cut out over 1500 independent pharmacies across the nation disrupting many veterans and their family members pharmacy services and causing them higher costs and longer travel to obtain their prescription needs.
votes in the house this week
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.
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