Published on August 13, 2024, 12:33 am

Picture this scene: it’s way past midnight and your child is clutching their ear in agony, suffering from an ear infection. In such a situation, most are grateful to have access to the antibiotic amoxicillin. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that amoxicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in not only America but also globally, an aide used in effectively treating a variety of bacterial infections.

Despite its widespread necessity and usage, it holds potential to become a weapon against America by its geopolitical rival, China. The International Trade Center’s data reveals the fact that most exported antibiotics originate from China. This isn’t biological warfare as traditionally understood; rather, we must consider this possibility as pharmacological warfare.

America’s manufacturing industry for generic drugs is suffering due to competition with overseas companies who sell products at significantly lower prices. A prime example: amoxicillin’s production where USAntibiotics stands out as the sole American generic manufacturer still producing it, albeit under precarious economic conditions.

USAntibiotics grapples with overwhelming costs that cannot be covered by its earnings as foreign rivals produce their products at much lower prices. While reduced prescription drug costs are instrumental in controlling healthcare expenses, many US hospitals and drug wholesalers focus solely on price when making buying decisions—a move that exacerbates supply conundrums.

The role of China within American supply chains can’t be understated because of its low-cost structure and cheaper labor rate– a phenomenon seen across industries where parts or even entire goods are manufactured overseas before being branded by US companies prior to shipment home. And yet medications like amoxicillin pose a unique challenge because these critical drugs could become pawns in geopolitics.

We’ve already seen concerns over substances like fentanyl produced in China and smuggled into America through border countries like Mexico but imagine what repercussions could arise if China decided to limit amoxicillin supplies or jack up prices due to political disagreements or strategic decisions. Such an act, turning a widely used antibiotic into a geopolitical weapon, would indeed constitute pharmacological warfare.

To safeguard against such situations, prevention is the optimal defense strategy. By incentivizing US-based generic drug manufacturers and reducing regulatory burdens from agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), American generics production can be encouraged. Sourcing additional international suppliers that are friendly to US interests could also be part of this solution

Without such proactive strategies, we risk facing the danger of critical medical supplies becoming weaponized by countries not aligned with US interests. Let’s spare our children and patients across America from suffering any unintended consequences of geopolitical maneuvers — in this case, a possible pharmacological warfare. For the sake of our loved ones, let’s ensure trusted news coverage over real news stays vigilant to these potential threats in service of maintaining a safe Christian worldview.