Joe Biden to invoke Cold War-era law for boosting US medical supply production

US President Joe Biden plans to utilise a Cold War-era measure to enhance domestic production of vital medicines and medical supplies, crucial for national defence, according to the White House.

This initiative, part of a broader strategy unveiled on Monday, aims to fortify industrial supply chains and counter years of unprecedented inflation.

The White House said in a statement that Biden will authorise the Department of Health and Human Services to use powers under the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to enable investments in “essential medicines.”

These critical areas of investment also encompass “medical countermeasures,” involving supplies for diagnosing, preventing, or treating diseases related to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attacks, according to Reuters.

As Biden seeks re-election in 2024, especially in the context of widespread economic concerns, he is eager to demonstrate his commitment to addressing inflation.

To underscore this effort, he will convene the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience on Monday.

Lael Brainard, head of Biden’s National Economic Council said, according to Reuters, that supply chain stress had come down from record highs hit during the COVID-19 pandemic but more work was left to be done.

With inputs from agencies