HDA Statement on Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
May 11, 2023The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) released a statement from President and CEO Chester “Chip” Davis, Jr., on the expiration of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19:
“The end of the PHE is a testament to the importance of meaningful and strong public-private partnerships — for without them, this milestone would not have been reached. In the three years since the PHE was put in place, HDA and its member companies worked tirelessly alongside government and supply partners to ensure COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments were distributed safely and efficiently to Americans across the country.
“Through a coordinated response with federal, state and local governments, healthcare distributors bolstered the U.S. supply chain during a time of great uncertainty. At the same time, distributors’ long-standing partnerships with manufacturers, providers and pharmacists — and their extensive logistics expertise and infrastructure — allowed every American to have access to a COVID-19 vaccine or therapeutic while also continuing to seamlessly deliver medicines for everyday needs. As COVID-19 products eventually transition to the commercial market, healthcare distributors will work to ensure they remain readily available.
“Moving forward, HDA and its healthcare distributor members will continue to provide logistics expertise and guidance to lawmakers and regulators on supply chain preparedness and resilience by demonstrating our industry’s real-world experience, maintaining consistent communication and offering sensible policy solutions. Collectively, it is important that we build on the lessons learned, maintain and fortify the operational structures established during the COVID-19 response effort, and continue the open lines of communication that were so vital to our success. The reauthorization of the Pandemics and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) this year offers an opportunity to advance solutions and codify them into law.
“As we look to the future and the pandemic recedes, we must remember what worked and what did not and apply that knowledge to ensure our nation is prepared. HDA and our members stand ready to be a resource to our public and private partners as we bolster our supply chain and work to confront the next public health crisis.”
Additional Resources:
PAHPA Reauthorization: High-Level Summary and Recommendations
Healthcare Supply Chain Resilience and Data Illumination
The Path Forward: Transitioning From the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
About HDA
The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) represents primary pharmaceutical distributors — the vital link between the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and others nationwide. Since 1876, HDA has helped members navigate regulations and innovations to get the right medicines to the right patients at the right time, safely and efficiently. The HDA Research Foundation, HDA’s nonprofit charitable foundation, serves the healthcare industry by providing research and education focused on priority healthcare supply chain issues.