In December of 2007, LeRoy Hubley endured the most devastating experience of his life. His wife of 48 years and his son died within weeks of each other. The culprit? Contaminated doses of Chinese-made generic drug Heparin that there were taking to treat a genetic kidney disease.

LeRoy, his wife Bonnie, and his son Randy put their faith in the prescription drug market, and the Food and Drug Administration's inspection system, which failed them. The medicine they relied on to save their lives, which was made in Communist China, did the exact opposite. Two lives were senselessly cut short.

Unfortunately, the Hubleys are not the only victims of our country’s over-reliance on foreign-made generic drugs and a broken system that allows overseas manufacturers to duck quality controls. Almost 20 years later, many issues that allowed for the Heparin tragedy, which killed over 100 people, still exist. As recently as 2023, contaminated eyedrops from India killed four people and caused damage to at least 55 other patients.

America’s over-reliance on foreign-made generics and loose oversight is threatening the health of our citizens and jeopardizing national security. As chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, I held a recent hearing and am investigating these failures in our drug procurement system that leave many Americans — especially our seniors — at risk.

The U.S. currently relies on overseas manufacturers for

© The Hill