RAPID Reserve Act

The RAPID Reserve Act (S 2510) creates a federal program to prevent critical drug shortages by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with eligible manufacturers and distributors to maintain 6-month reserves of key drugs and their active ingredients. It directly affects qualifying drug manufacturers (with domestic or OECD-registered facilities, strong quality records, and domestic manufacturing capacity) and distributors, focusing on drugs with vulnerable supply chains that are critical for public health emergencies or at-risk populations. Key mechanisms include mandating regular replenishment of reserves, allowing the Secretary to redirect reserves during emergencies, and prioritizing domestic manufacturing capacity. The program is funded with $500 million for fiscal year 2024, with annual reports to Congress on drug selections and program effectiveness.