Rebuilding the US medical supply chain

In the race to end the COVID-19 pandemic, the world saw an unprecedented process to quickly research, develop, test, and deploy a vaccine to protect against the virus. But like many other facets of life, the pandemic also exposed, and in some cases exacerbated, problems in drug and medical supply manufacturing. Global supply chains were disrupted leading to shortages of medicines and personal protective equipment. Many health care systems around the country were overwhelmed with sick patients, calling into question the ability to provide quality health care to Americans.

On June 11, Governance Studies at Brookings and the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis cohosted a webinar to discuss pharmaceutical drug manufacturing and supply chain logistics in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists unpacked current obstacles in manufacturing drugs and medical supplies in the United States and solutions to those barriers.

Viewers submitted questions for speakers by emailing events@brookings.edu or via Twitter at @BrookingsGov by using #USSupplyChain.