Statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast Ports

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the following statement on the strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports:

“On Monday, HHS met with trade associations, distributors, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to assess vulnerabilities and supply chain impacts. Current preliminary assessments indicate immediate impacts across medicines, medical devices, and infant formula for consumers, parents, and caregivers should be limited. The Administration is taking action to monitor and address potential impacts on consumers of labor disputes at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. We take our commitment to protecting and strengthening supply chains very seriously, and HHS has been closely tracking the situation at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports in preparation for potential impacts. In coordination with HHS and other Administration partners, FDA and ASPR have been in touch with trade associations, distributors, and manufacturers to limit impacts on consumers and assess vulnerabilities. ASPR and FDA have and will continue working closely with HHS to quickly identify potential shortages of lifesaving products impacted by a strike to determine the cause and work with manufacturers and distributors to address local, regional and national needs as they arise. Our Administration supports collective bargaining as the best way for workers and employers to come to a fair agreement, and we encourage all parties to come to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith—fairly and quickly.”