President Trump signed Executive Order 13944 on August 6, 2020. It directs federal agencies to buy essential medicines, medical countermeasures and their critical inputs from USA manufacturers.
Key provisions
- Agencies must, where appropriate and as far as the law allows, limit competition to products made in the USA and split purchases among two or more USA manufacturers.
- Within 90 days, the FDA Commissioner must name the essential medicines, medical countermeasures and critical inputs covered by the order.
- Within 30 days of that list, the U.S. Trade Representative must act to exclude those products from federal procurement coverage under free trade agreements and the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement.
- Agencies must develop procurement strategies, including long-term contracts, to build up domestic production.
- The EPA is directed to look for ways to speed siting and permitting for advanced manufacturing plants.
Trump signed the order during a visit to a Whirlpool plant in Ohio. Some experts warned the change could raise drug costs. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce urged careful implementation to avoid higher prices, CNN reported.
FAQ
When was it signed?
August 6, 2020. It was published in the Federal Register on August 14.
What does it cover?
Essential medicines, medical countermeasures and their critical inputs.
Who makes the list?
The FDA Commissioner, within 90 days.
Source & credit
Source: Federal Register, August 14, 2020: Executive Order 13944.
Also: CNN, August 6, 2020: “Trump signs ‘buy American first’ pharma executive order”.