Deregulation Push Risks Unsafe Drugs Flooding the Market Under Trump

On May 5, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order promising to bolster America’s pharmaceutical supply chain. The plan aims to ramp up domestic drug production, a goal that sounds vital in a world of global crises. Yet, the details reveal a reckless strategy. It favors corporate speed over the safety of millions who depend on medications daily.

The order pushes the FDA to cut approval times for U.S. drug plants by removing what it deems unnecessary regulations. It also directs the EPA to hasten construction permits for new facilities. At first glance, this seems like a practical step toward self-reliance. However, the cost of this haste becomes clear when you consider what’s at stake: the quality of life-saving drugs.

For years, public health advocates have worked to ensure medications are safe and accessible. Trump’s approach, by contrast, leans on deregulation, aligning with the interests of pharmaceutical companies. The focus isn’t on protecting patients; it’s on clearing hurdles for profit-driven enterprises.

This pattern isn’t new. Trump’s first term saw similar efforts to prioritize industry over oversight, yet our drug supply chain remains fragile. The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare these weaknesses, with shortages of critical supplies. Deregulation didn’t solve that crisis, and it won’t solve this one.

The FDA exists to ensure drugs are safe and effective. Trump’s order, by demanding faster reviews and fewer requirements, jeopardizes that mission. In 2023, 62 percent of U.S. drug shortages stemmed from quality issues. Hastening plant approvals risks flooding the market with subpar medications, endangering patients nationwide.

The plan also hikes fees and inspections for foreign drug manufacturers. This might appear to promote fairness, but it’s an empty move. Roughly 80 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients come from abroad, mainly China and India. Without a strong domestic backup, penalizing foreign suppliers could trigger shortages, especially during emergencies like wars or pandemics.

Past crises highlight the danger. In 2007-08, contaminated heparin from China killed dozens. In 2012, a U.S. pharmacy’s negligence caused a meningitis outbreak that took 64 lives. Both disasters resulted from weak oversight. Trump’s push to loosen regulations ignores these warnings, gambling with public health.

Defenders of the order claim it will drive investment and jobs, citing projections that reshoring half of API imports could create 800,000 jobs and $200 billion in economic growth. Yet, without public oversight and funding, these gains are uncertain. Unregulated companies prioritize profits, leaving patients to face the fallout.

A stronger path exists, one that centers on public good. Democratic proposals call for $1 billion yearly to BARDA for domestic drug manufacturing. They urge federal agencies, like the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs, to buy American-made drugs. These steps, combined with the 2013 Drug Supply Chain Security Act’s tracking systems, would ensure safety and transparency.

Public investment has a track record of success. The 2022 CHIPS and Science Act proved that targeted funding can strengthen industries while upholding standards. A similar strategy for pharmaceuticals would reduce foreign dependence, prevent shortages, and create jobs, all without sacrificing quality.

This approach prioritizes accountability alongside efficiency. It addresses national security concerns, as Congressional reports note the Pentagon’s inability to track drugs tied to adversary nations. Publicly funded initiatives, with rigorous oversight, would eliminate these blind spots.

Equitable access remains a priority. Trump’s order overlooks affordability, a critical issue when millions struggle to afford medications. A comprehensive plan would pair manufacturing with policies like Medicare price negotiation, ensuring drugs are available to all, not just the wealthy.

The risks are immediate. In 2023, cyberattacks compromised 133 million health records, and storms like Hurricane Maria disrupted vital drug supplies. These aren’t distant threats; they’re real and ongoing. A supply chain that falters under pressure endangers everyone, from soldiers to hospital patients.

Trump’s order positions itself as a security solution, but it falls short. It sidesteps the need for strong public investment and oversight, favoring a corporate-friendly approach that benefits industry over people. History shows this strategy fails to deliver lasting resilience.

Americans deserve a pharmaceutical supply chain that’s secure, transparent, and fair. Rejecting deregulation in favor of public-driven solutions is the way forward. It’s time to prioritize our health and build a system that works for everyone.