Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Politics or not? Check yourself. Many of you who read my column on a regular basis know that I am staying out of politics and taking sides in any other polarizing matter. But these days, if you try, you can politicize everything! Just depending on whom you are talking to. So, my disclaimer again: this is not a political article. For many years, 20-30, American. manufacturers outsourced their processes and actual manufacturing plants to China, India, Vietnam, and some other far Asia countries. were added to the club. Outsourcing process had little to do with how we voted and rather, had to do with finding cheap labor markets. This way, profits were larger. Nobody really thought much about quality of products or total abandonment of the American-based manufacturing market. We were caught in bizarre situations many times, even during the pandemic. We had no masks. Our clinic shopped for the masks early in February 2020 and we became a victim of price gauging, paying extraordinary fees for China-made products, often by American corporations. wild crowd. What I know is that it would be Masks are still coming from China, although we do have American plants now who produce them too. so much easier to have the manufacturing of our medicines back in the USA. I have nothing against globalization-it is a necessity of our times. Technology made our world very small and accessible. But technology does not equal accountability and safety. And when it comes to your medication or infant food, safety and accountability are a must. I want to talk to you about medicines. Medications and other FDA controlled products, like baby formula, are very special and require separate handling due to safety issues. Simply, if you buy shoes made in China and they fall apart after a week, you lost some $40.00. If you buy medicine that is contaminated, you may die. Several months ago, FDA closed a large Abbott manufacturer in Michigan. It was done. due to investigation of several babies' deaths after feeding Similac produced by Abbott there. It accounted for almost 40% of all baby formulas available on shelves. It turned out there was a strong bacterial contamination of Similac that caused these tragedies. FDA has been working closely with Abbott to eliminate the risk, prevent any future contaminations, and re-open the facility as soon as possible. 90% of all medication sold in US are generic drugs. Huge majority of generic drugs come from India and China. It does not mean they are manufactured by Chinese companies. No, practically all pharmaceutical companies today are global. They operate in many countries and are a subject of regulations of those countries. Teva is one of the largest producers of generic drugs. It has 53 manufacturing facilities in 33 countries. 70% of brand name drugs come from outside of our country too. Often, you think that they are made by a certain company only to learn that that company belongs to another company, and yet another company. The number of mergers and acquisitions is out of control of any person, even a very involved medical professional like me. If this product were produced in Vietnam or any other country, our intervention would not be so sharp and fast. Yes, we have a shortage problem, but babies died because of the primary problem. What do you pick, shortage on a temporary basis or death? Certainly, there are other contributors, totally market related to the current shortage. Issues like this are never simple. What they usually do not relate to is politics. This one is not political either. Michael Bukhalo, MD I am not sure how FDA, with all the staff shortages as they have, can control all that Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Politics or not ? Check yourself . Many of you who read my column on a regular basis know that I am staying out of politics and taking sides in any other polarizing matter . But these days , if you try , you can politicize everything ! Just depending on whom you are talking to . So , my disclaimer again : this is not a political article . For many years , 20-30 , American . manufacturers outsourced their processes and actual manufacturing plants to China , India , Vietnam , and some other far Asia countries . were added to the club . Outsourcing process had little to do with how we voted and rather , had to do with finding cheap labor markets . This way , profits were larger . Nobody really thought much about quality of products or total abandonment of the American - based manufacturing market . We were caught in bizarre situations many times , even during the pandemic . We had no masks . Our clinic shopped for the masks early in February 2020 and we became a victim of price gauging , paying extraordinary fees for China - made products , often by American corporations . wild crowd . What I know is that it would be Masks are still coming from China , although we do have American plants now who produce them too . so much easier to have the manufacturing of our medicines back in the USA . I have nothing against globalization - it is a necessity of our times . Technology made our world very small and accessible . But technology does not equal accountability and safety . And when it comes to your medication or infant food , safety and accountability are a must . I want to talk to you about medicines . Medications and other FDA controlled products , like baby formula , are very special and require separate handling due to safety issues . Simply , if you buy shoes made in China and they fall apart after a week , you lost some $ 40.00 . If you buy medicine that is contaminated , you may die . Several months ago , FDA closed a large Abbott manufacturer in Michigan . It was done . due to investigation of several babies ' deaths after feeding Similac produced by Abbott there . It accounted for almost 40 % of all baby formulas available on shelves . It turned out there was a strong bacterial contamination of Similac that caused these tragedies . FDA has been working closely with Abbott to eliminate the risk , prevent any future contaminations , and re - open the facility as soon as possible . 90 % of all medication sold in US are generic drugs . Huge majority of generic drugs come from India and China . It does not mean they are manufactured by Chinese companies . No , practically all pharmaceutical companies today are global . They operate in many countries and are a subject of regulations of those countries . Teva is one of the largest producers of generic drugs . It has 53 manufacturing facilities in 33 countries . 70 % of brand name drugs come from outside of our country too . Often , you think that they are made by a certain company only to learn that that company belongs to another company , and yet another company . The number of mergers and acquisitions is out of control of any person , even a very involved medical professional like me . If this product were produced in Vietnam or any other country , our intervention would not be so sharp and fast . Yes , we have a shortage problem , but babies died because of the primary problem . What do you pick , shortage on a temporary basis or death ? Certainly , there are other contributors , totally market related to the current shortage . Issues like this are never simple . What they usually do not relate to is politics . This one is not political either . Michael Bukhalo , MD I am not sure how FDA , with all the staff shortages as they have , can control all that Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net