(Phnom Penh): The US relies heavily on foreign suppliers for essential medicines, with China playing a key role. Over the past two decades, China has become a major source of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished drugs. In 2021, it was the top supplier of US pharmaceutical imports by weight.

China provides 95% of US ibuprofen, 70% of acetaminophen, and 91% of hydrocortisone imports. It is also a key supplier of penicillin.

Today, 90% of prescription drugs in the US are imported, making the country the world’s largest pharmaceutical importer. Since 2001, pharmaceutical imports have increased sixfold, raising concerns about supply chain security, especially during global crises like COVID19.

This article was originally published on Visual Capitalist.
=FRESH NEWS