On August 13, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at enhancing the resilience of the American pharmaceutical supply chain by filling the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve (SAPIR). The Order directs the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to compile a list of 26 critical drugs and secure a six-month supply of their Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), with a focus on domestic manufacturing. Additionally, the ASPR is tasked with updating the existing list of essential medicines and developing a proposal for a second SAPIR repository to strengthen the nation’s pharmaceutical security.

This initiative responds to concerns about the vulnerabilities within the U.S. supply chain, where only 10% of APIs for prescription drugs are produced domestically. This heavy reliance on foreign sources increases the risks of shortages, particularly during global disruptions. The Executive Order aims to address these issues by stockpiling APIs, which are typically low-cost and have long shelf lives, thereby enhancing the country’s ability to maintain access to critical medications during emergencies.

President Trump has previously prioritized efforts to secure America’s pharmaceutical independence through various executive actions, including the establishment of the original SAPIR and initiatives to promote domestic drug production. His administration’s focus on removing regulatory barriers and implementing competitive pricing seeks to ensure that Americans have access to affordable, domestically-produced drugs. This recent Executive Order represents a continuation of those efforts to build a more resilient and self-reliant pharmaceutical supply chain.

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