America’s Agenda: COVID-19 & A Responsive Rx Supply Chain

Over the past six months, the coronavirus pandemic has forced people all over the world to abide by a new way of life. Nothing is the same and while accommodations can be made for our lifestyle choices, there is little flexibility when it comes to healthcare needs. For patients with chronic diseases and those most at risk from the coronavirus, access to regular medications is not a choice. In some cases it is the difference between life and death.

The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented demand for medicines. Since the early days of the crisis, hospitals have used a variety of treatments – some experimental – to target the virus. And physicians have encouraged patients to refill their prescriptions for a longer period. In a pandemic, both the healthcare system and patients have changed behaviors. As a consequence, concerns and fears have arisen surrounding drug availability and shortages.

What are stakeholders doing to ensure that disruptions do not occur, especially as we head into flu season and colder weather? How can all those involved in maintaining an uninterrupted supply of pharmaceuticals collaborate effectively across the supply chain and with government officials? And what plans are being put in place for the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine once available?

As Americans head to the polls, join The Hill as we gather policymakers, health officials and healthcare stakeholders for a conversation about ensuring resilience in the pharmaceutical supply chain whether in the face of the current pandemic or future health crises.

Tuesday, October 27^th

1:00PM – 2:15PM EDT

1:00 pm Kathleen Sebelius, Former Secretary of Health and Human Services

1:15 pm Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Sponsor, Made in America Medical Supply Chain Initiative

1:25 pm SPONSOR PERSPECTIVE Chip Davis, President & CEO, Healthcare Distribution Alliance

1:35 pm Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA Commissioner

1:45 pm Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Member, Energy & Commerce Committee

1:55 pm PANEL DISCUSSION

Heather Zenk, Senior Vice President Strategic Global Sourcing, AmerisourceBergen Corporation

Joshua Sharfstein, Professor of the Practice in Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association

2:15 pm VIRTUAL EVENT CONCLUDES

Speakers

• Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Member, House Energy & Commerce Committee
• Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Sponsor, Made in America Medical Supply Chain Initiative
• Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA Commissioner
• Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association
• Kathleen Sebelius, Former Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Joshua Sharfstein, Professor of the Practice in Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Heather Zenk, Senior Vice President, Strategic Global Sourcing, AmerisourceBergen

Sponsor Perspective:

Chip Davis, President & CEO, Healthcare Distribution Alliance

Moderator:

Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill

Join the conversation! Tweet us @TheHillEvents using #TheHillRxSupplyChain

SPONSORED CONTENT MESSAGE

Connecting 180,000 healthcare providers and pharmacies with 1,300 drug manufacturers across the country, distributors have the relationships and skill to manage a complex pharmaceutical supply chain during challenging times. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, HDA members have leveraged these strong relationships, past experience and logistics expertise to direct medicines to the frontlines while continuing to meet the daily healthcare needs of all Americans. Learn more about how distributors are responding to COVID-19.