The FDA is tracking 20 drugs for potential shortages caused by the coronavirus, the agency told CNN Feb. 26.
The drugs on the agency's list are those that either source all of their active pharmaceutical ingredients from China or produce finished drug products in China.
The FDA said it has been in touch with 180 drugmakers to remind them they are obligated to notify the FDA if they anticipate any disruptions in their drug supply and asked them to evaluate their supply chain.
No drugmakers have reported that they anticipate shortages due to the coronavirus, CNN reported.
China also makes a lot of medical supplies used in the U.S., such as surgical masks, respirators and surgical gowns. HHS Secretary Alex Azar told CNN that some of the $2.5 billion the White House requested from Congress to combat coronavirus will be used to buy personal protective equipment from the national stockpile, a supply of emergency drugs and other medical products managed by the government.
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