05.20.20

Durbin Presses HHS On Transparency Of Remdesivir Distribution

Durbin Touts New HHS Public Reporting Plans Following Briefing From Administration Officials In Charge Of Remdesivir Hospital Allocation Process

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a briefing call with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dr. Robert Kadlec, regarding the distribution process for the COVID-19 therapeutic remdesivir. Last week, Durbin led 12 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to HHS seeking transparency and information regarding the distribution process for remdesivir and called for the agency to brief them on the allocation process.   On today’s call, Durbin cited significant concerns raised by states, hospitals, health providers, and patients regarding the opaque process under which the federal government is determining distribution of remdesivir, as well as the future supply to meet patient needs.  During the call, Durbin received an update that Illinois will have received a total of more than 27,000 vials from HHS over the last week.  Durbin also secured a commitment for the publication of a public dashboard to boost transparency on shipments and methodologies.

“I am pleased that HHS is heeding my calls for more transparency – including through an online dashboard – to track and monitor the distribution of COVID-19 medications and ensure a fair process,” Durbin said.  “Scarce supplies result in necessary choices about distribution, but in the midst of this pandemic, our state, health care system, and patients cannot be left in the dark about if, how, and when supply of this therapeutic may arrive.”

A copy of last week’s letter to HHS is available here.

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