Part 16/19:
While US innovation still leads in biotech and high-end novel drug discovery, the manufacturing of generic drugs is largely outsourced because of lower costs abroad. This strategy, however, introduces risks: during a crisis, inability to produce key medicines domestically could hamper public health responses.
There is an increasing call among policymakers and industry leaders to bolster domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, incentivize local labs, and develop strategic reserves of essential drugs. Efforts under discussion include revising regulations, providing financial incentives, and reforming supply chain infrastructure to make local production cost-effective.