H.R. 6670 – Prescription for American Drug Independence Act of 2020

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:01 PM UTC

The Prescription for American Drug Independence Act of 2020 directs the federal government to study how the United States can increase domestic manufacturing and create a more diverse supply chain for critical drugs. It aims to reduce reliance on foreign producers to protect patient access, public health, and national security. The effort involves the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Academies, and it will affect drug manufacturers, health‑care providers, and patients who need essential medicines.

Key Provisions

Within 14 days of enactment, HHS must sign an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The National Academies must, within 90 days of the agreement, form an expert committee to study drug supply issues, including sourcing of active ingredients and raw materials.
The Academies must convene a public symposium to examine the impact of U.S. dependence on foreign drug manufacturing and to recommend ways to build a domestic, diversified supply chain for critical drugs.
A report on the symposium’s findings must be submitted to Congress and a summary posted on the National Academies’ public website.
The symposium must involve multiple federal agencies (e.g., HHS, DHS, DoD, Commerce, State, VA, Justice) and a broad range of stakeholders such as manufacturers, health‑care providers, professional societies, patient groups, and distributors.
The bill defines a “critical drug” as one covered by the FDA’s critical‑drug notification provisions.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

May 1, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 1, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

May 1, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 1, 2020

I

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6670

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 1, 2020

Ms. Eshoo (for herself and Mrs. Brooks of Indiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To provide for an exploration of strategies to increase domestic manufacturing and diversify the supply chain of critical drugs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Prescription for American Drug Independence Act of 2020.

2.

National Academies strategies To increase domestic manufacturing of critical drugs

(a)

In general

Not later than 14 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (referred to in this section as the National Academies) under which, not later than 90 days after the date of entering into the agreement, the National Academies will—

(1)

establish a committee of experts who are knowledgeable about drug supply issues, including—

(A)

sourcing and production of critical drugs;

(B)

sourcing and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients in critical drugs;

(C)

the raw materials and other components for critical drugs; and

(D)

the public health and national security implications of the current supply chain for critical drugs;

(2)

convene a public symposium to—

(A)

analyze the impact of United States dependence on the foreign manufacturing of critical drugs on patient access and care, including in hospitals and intensive care units; and

(B)

recommend strategies to end United States dependence on foreign manufacturing to ensure the United States has a diverse and vital supply chain for critical drugs to protect the Nation from natural or hostile occurrences; and

(3)

submit a report on the symposium’s proceedings to the Congress and publish a summary of such proceedings on the public website of the National Academies.

(b)

Symposium

In carrying out the agreement under subsection (a), the National Academies shall consult with—

(1)

the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, the Department of State, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Justice, and any other Federal agencies as appropriate; and

(2)

relevant stakeholders, including drug manufacturers, health care providers, medical professional societies, State-based societies, public health experts, State and local public health departments, State medical boards, patient groups, health care distributors, wholesalers and group purchasing organizations, pharmacists, and other entities with experience in health care and public health, as appropriate.

(c)

Definitions

For the purposes of this section:

(1)

The term critical drug means a drug that is described in subsection (a) of section 506C of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 356c) (relating to notification of any discontinuance or interruption in the production of life-saving drugs).

(2)

The term drug has the meaning given to such term in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).