In a significant move, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Biosecure Act on September 9, with a decisive vote of 306 to 81. This legislation marks the first in a series of over 20 bills aimed at tightening regulations on American pharmaceutical companies collaborating with five Chinese drug services firms: WuXi AppTec, WuXi Biologics, BGI Group, MGI, and Complete Genomics. The Act imposes stringent penalties and mandates that affected companies completely sever ties with their Chinese suppliers by 2032, citing national security concerns.
The Biosecure Act is expected to gain further support in the Senate, making its enactment into law highly probable. This legislation is just the beginning of what many observers describe as an unprecedented wave of anti-Chinese measures in the U.S. Congress. Upcoming bills are set to address a wide array of issues, from alleged political influences to specific concerns over technologies like drones and batteries.
The primary goal of the Biosecure Act is twofold. Firstly, it aims to reduce American pharmaceutical companies' dependence on Chinese compound suppliers, which are essential for producing a wide range of medical drugs. Compounds manufactured in China are integral to creating both prescription and over-the-counter medications in the U.S., leveraging China's comparative advantage in this sector.
However, critics argue that categorizing products like vitamins under national security concerns is an overreach. While certain medical compounds may present legitimate security risks due to geopolitical tensions, extending these restrictions to a broad spectrum of drugs raises questions about the true scope and intent of the legislation. Critics contend that this move goes beyond mere diversification of supply chains and veers into the territory of exclusion and isolation of Chinese companies from the U.S. pharmaceutical industry.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
