S.1784 - Mapping America's Pharmaceutical Supply Act; MAPS Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1784, the Mapping America's Pharmaceutical Supply Act (MAPS Act), aims to improve the coordination of federal efforts to identify and mitigate health and national security risks associated with the pharmaceutical supply chain. The bill mandates the maintenance of an essential medicines list, a comprehensive risk assessment of these medicines' supply chains, and the creation of a monitoring system to map these supply chains using data analytics.
The Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with other federal agencies, to update and maintain a list of essential medicines, conduct risk assessments, and map the supply chains. It also requires regular reports to Congress and the public on the progress of these efforts.
Furthermore, the Department of Defense is required to submit biannual reports on drugs purchased that contain ingredients sourced from or manufactured in the People's Republic of China.
Expected Effects
The MAPS Act is likely to result in increased transparency and resilience in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This includes a better understanding of vulnerabilities and dependencies on foreign sources, particularly China. The Act will also lead to improved coordination among federal agencies in addressing potential drug shortages and national security risks related to essential medicines.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced National Security: By identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain, the Act strengthens national security by reducing reliance on foreign adversaries for essential medicines.
- Improved Public Health: Ensuring a stable supply of essential medicines protects public health by preventing shortages and ensuring access to critical treatments.
- Increased Transparency: Mapping the pharmaceutical supply chain and publishing reports increases transparency, allowing policymakers and the public to better understand the risks and vulnerabilities.
- Better Preparedness: The Act improves preparedness for public health emergencies and national security threats by ensuring a readily available supply of essential medicines.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The use of data analytics to monitor supply chains enables more informed and proactive decision-making by government agencies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Increased Costs: Implementing the requirements of the Act, such as mapping supply chains and conducting risk assessments, could be costly, potentially leading to higher drug prices.
- Administrative Burden: The reporting requirements and coordination efforts could create an administrative burden for federal agencies and private sector stakeholders.
- Risk of Confidentiality Breaches: Sharing sensitive information about pharmaceutical supply chains could create a risk of cybersecurity breaches and the disclosure of confidential commercial information, despite the bill's provisions for cybersecurity measures and protection of confidential information.
- Limited Scope: The Act focuses primarily on essential medicines, potentially neglecting vulnerabilities in the supply chains of other important drugs.
- Dependency on Accurate Data: The effectiveness of the Act depends on the availability of accurate and complete data on pharmaceutical supply chains, which may be challenging to obtain.
Constitutional Alignment
The MAPS Act appears to align with the US Constitution, particularly the provisions related to providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which includes regulating the pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure the availability of essential medicines. The Act does not appear to infringe on any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
The Act's focus on national security and public health falls within the scope of Congress's enumerated powers. The required reporting and data collection are reasonable measures to achieve these goals. The Act also includes provisions to protect confidential commercial information, which helps to mitigate potential concerns about government overreach.
Furthermore, the Act's emphasis on coordination between different branches of government and agencies aligns with the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).