Either you, or probably someone you love, relies on a daily dose of a prescription medicine that is helping to treat a chronic illness. An illness that without an intervention would shorten their life span. For myself, following three heart attacks, open heart surgery, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and fibromyalgia, I’m a walking pharmacy. I hate the fact that the vast majority of it is self inflicted, but none the less, this is where I’m at in life. When I discovered the fact that if China or India, (the current locations of where 90-95% of the current prescription medicines of America are manufactured), decided that they needed those medications more than us, I would be out of my lifesaving medications within 30 days, let’s just say I was concerned.
Add to that the current state of relations between our nations, it should give every American reason to be concerned. Should we panic? No. For me that’s where my faith comes in, believing that God will take care of me, come what may. And what good would panic do, except to cause another heart attack? But for certain, someone in a position to make change, should be doing something.
When I heard Brian Duncan of the American Medicines Company speak at the recent Calhoun presentation, I was a little more than alarmed to hear him say that when he discovered our medical dependence on other nations, the United States Government either wasn’t aware of it, or those who were, were not doing anything to solve the problem, I was sicker than I already am.
While the number of national drug shortages dropped last quarter to 300, the lowest level in 18 months, according to a closely watched drug shortage tracker, we still have 300 listed as a shortage. The number of active shortages remains historically high despite the FDA’s efforts to mitigate short supplies of critical medications for cancer and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In a press release by the American Hospital Association ASHP tracked a record 323 active drug shortages during the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the previous record of 320 shortages in 2014. Some of the most worrying shortages involve generic sterile injectable medications, including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications stored in hospital crash carts and procedural areas.
In a statement submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee for a February hearing on chronic drug shortages, AHA recommended Congress enact legislation to diversify manufacturing sites and sources for critical pharmaceutical ingredients; support an increase in end-user and supply chain inventories for critical medications; develop a rating system for drug maker quality management processes; identify essential drugs needing more domestic manufacturing capacity; and require drug makers to disclose where their products are made and when demand for essential drugs spikes.
Those seem like very good ideas. Especially more domestic manufacturing capacity. How on earth could a nation that has been as powerful as the United States, become so critically dependent on other Nations? I have no idea, but I do know we have to do something to change that, and Calhoun County, West Virginia leadership is ready and doing their part to begin the process. They’re making a difference by encouraging American Medicines Company to build their manufacturing facility in an area of hardworking, loyal Americans ready for opportunity.
So when the question arises, why is Calhoun’s conversation with AMC such a big deal? The answer is, mine and your families lives very well could depend on its success.
Our community has been at the bottom of the rung economically because of the same type of political inactivity that is occurring in Washington, DC surrounding the drug industry. Calhoun’s current leadership is now determined to change the economic climate of Calhoun County back to the sunnier days when it was a booming area of progress.
A trip to the Avalon campus (formerly the Calhoun High School) was, whether or not the naysayers want to acknowledge it, the seeds sown that began this infusion of excitement within political and business leaders. This has infuriated the previous powers who are using other press outlets in an attempt discourage the community in the vilest most disgusting manners that I’ll not relay, so as not to promote it myself.
The opportunity of the American Medicines Company manufacturing facility coming to this rural Appalachian area, filled with the most amazing people from the northern end of the county to the southern end should cause every citizen of faith to spend some time in prayer on the entire matter. It will give our sons, daughters and grandchildren the opportunity to stay in our community. The pipeline industry, which has been good to Calhoun County families, will no longer be the only option.
This morning as I sit on my porch and watch so many forms of wildlife frolicking around me, I am reminded how good God is and how wonderful it is to live here. Wouldn’t it be awesome if the coming generations had the opportunity to live and prosper here?
