We may be facing the most significant medical crisis since COVID and almost no one is talking about it. According to Fox Business,
“Patients’ access to critical medications may be threatened in the event of prolonged strikes at ports along the East and Gulf coasts, medical professionals are warning.”
Sadly, millions of Americans are unaware of just how reliant the United States is on the import of life-saving prescription medications,
Susan Thomas, chief commercial officer of pharmacy benefit manager LucyRx, says most people underestimate how much medication is manufactured outside the U.S.
The reality of the situation, according to New York City-based emergency room physician Dr. Robert Glatter, “is that a looming strike could impact imports of medical supplies and critical life-saving medicines from other countries that U.S. hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers depend upon to take care of their patients.”
It could also restrict the amount of life-saving medications and surgical supplies the U.S. exports to other countries, Glatter said.
Indeed, Americans could begin to see drug shortages within 5-7 days after the port strike begins and these delays are on top of existing supply chain challenges that are limiting access to many life-saving drugs:
“While manufacturers and wholesale distributors may carry a month or more of certain drugs, as you get closer to the point of patient contact, namely providers and retail pharmacies, they carry a much more limited supply, potentially five to seven days in many cases,” Basu said.
Hellbound and Down 