Puerto Rico is a very critical part of the US and the rest of the world as well. One very specific importance lies in the fact that more than 500 facilities that manufacture medical, pharmaceutical, and biological devices lie on this island. These facilities supply not only the people in the US, but also people around the world. According to the FDA, more than 20 of these firms produce medically important products, including those used to treat cancer. An etimated 80% of the drug products produced on the island are used by citizens in the entire US. The FDA also reported that nearly 1 in 10 of all drugs used by Americans come from one of the manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico. With all of the production of medical and pharmaceutical devices and drugs that takes place on this island, it is no surprise that 30% of Puerto Rico’s economy comes from these productions.
As of October 6th, half of these facilities were back up and running at least to partial capacity. However, there is still a lot more work to be done to get all back up and running. Without these plants, the whole country would be faced with a drug shortage , leaving much more death and devastation than the hurricane responsible for these closure itself. The island still remains in need and if they are in need, we are in need; not only because they are a part of our country, but also because we depend on them for much more than we may really know.
Source:
Pharma Plants in Puerto Rico Gradually Resume Production- Medscape- Oct. 09, 2017
