Experts warn U.S. pharma reliance on China poses national security threat

The authors of a recent Council on Foreign Relations report argue that the United States’ dependence on China for biopharmaceutical manufacturing creates a clear national security risk. They point to China’s dominance across most steps of the drug production process, from raw materials to finished products.

In a response to a STAT op‑ed that downplayed the geopolitical danger, the writers contend that weak U.S. regulation and profit‑driven industry practices also undermine supply‑chain resilience. They say these factors are not separate but reinforce the strategic vulnerability.

The piece calls for policymakers and industry leaders to recognize the intertwined nature of regulatory gaps and foreign reliance, urging actions to reduce exposure and safeguard the U.S. drug supply.