Bring drug manufacturing home

“Listen, and understand! That Terminator is out there! It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop ... ever, until you are dead. He’ll find her! That’s what he does! That’s all he does! You can’t stop him! He’ll wade through you, reach down her throat and pull her heart out!” — Reese, referring to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in “The Terminator.”

That chilling dialogue from 1984’s “The Terminator” still remains part of pop culture lingo. Interestingly, many parallels can be drawn between the Terminator’s methodologies and a virus: neither feels remorse in whom it targets, neither is easily defeated, and neither will stop pursuing its objective. Fortunately, the COVID-19 coronavirus (C19) is not as interested in ending life as the Terminator was, and for good reason: a virus that kills its host quickly eventually commits “suicide” by starving itself of more victims. In no way is that minimizing the staggering death toll of C19, as the numbers are overwhelming for a world that hasn’t seen this type of global pandemic in 100 years, but it could be far worse.

We will eventually beat coronavirus, likely because of American science. But until then, now is this time to assess what we must do, looking forward, to prepare for a re-emergence of C19 (should it go dormant during the summer), a new strain (should it mutate), or a brand new viral or bacterial threat.

To bolster America’s security, the top priority should be bringing home the big “M”: manufacturing — in particular, production of medicines and masks — so that America is never again on her knees during a crisis.

Medicine Manufactured In China: In the 1970s, this author remembers playing games in the car with his dad for what seemed like an eternity. To that little boy, the barely-moving line of cars was a mile long, as vehicles snaked around fuel pumps, out gas station exits, and down the road for blocks. This disruption of daily life, caused by the Arab nations’ OPEC oil embargo, resulted in soaring fuel costs, rationed gasoline and exorbitant wait times.

It took several decades, but America finally “got it.” Realizing the severe cost to its national and economic security — let alone its prestige — the United States decided to stop placing its vital interests in the hands of foreign nations. In doing so, it slowed one of the greatest transfers of wealth in history — petrol dollars from American consumers and corporations to Middle Eastern oil barons.

That same commitment must now be geared toward medicine independence. A staggering percentage of our medications are manufactured elsewhere, with upwards of 80 percent of pharmaceutical ingredients and drugs being produced in China and India. According to the Commerce Department, as reported by Politico, China accounted for 95 percent of U.S. imports of ibuprofen, 91 percent of hydrocortisone, 70 percent of acetaminophen, 40 percent of penicillin and 40 percent of heparin. That’s insane, and tragically ironic, since American

companies do the heavy lifting in developing drugs, conducting clinical trials, and implementing safety protocols. Yet after all that, many ingredients and drugs are manufactured in foreign nations. That must end.

This is where partisan politics need to be put aside. Hard as it may be for some to swallow, the leader most capable of achieving medicine independence is President Trump. His take-the-bullby-the-horns approach, while not ideal for every issue, is exactly what’s needed to solve this problem.

Masks and personal protective equipment: The same rationale for bringing drug manufacturing back to America can be applied to medical masks, gloves, eye protection, ventilators, and other critical equipment. That doesn’t mean everything must be produced domestically, since diversifying production venues in a global economy is savvy business strategy. But we must have safeguards in place that mandate A) adequate stockpiles are created and remain topped off, and B) we have the capability to immediately ramp up domestic production levels to meet our needs in a crisis.

If ever there was a non-partisan issue, this is it, since no rational person can believe that outsourcing production of drugs and medical gear is good for America.

One doesn’t have to like or support President Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, or House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But if we are to address this nation’s Achilles heel, we must get behind all those leaders, and implore them to act immediately.

The health of every citizen, and the future of America, depends on it.