MAPS Act

This proposal aims to prevent drug shortages and protect health and national security by tracking where key medicines and their ingredients are made. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must keep and regularly update a public list of “essential medicines,” including drugs needed for emergencies, high‑risk shortage drugs, and medicines for chronic conditions. The list must be reviewed at least every two years, with the first update due within 180 days after it becomes law, and published after each update.

HHS must study risks in these medicine supply chains—like heavy reliance on one country or one supplier, gaps in U.S. manufacturing, and online security threats—and explain how the government will reduce those risks. A report to Congress is due within 180 days and then every year.

The plan also sets up a system to map the full drug supply chain—from raw ingredients to finished medicines and distribution—and use data tools to spot weak points. Agencies will share information such as where factories are, how much they make, and any inspections, recalls, or shortage warnings. HHS must report progress within 18 months and then yearly.

To protect businesses and patients, the bill allows secure data sharing among agencies while keeping trade secrets confidential and requires strong cybersecurity to prevent leaks.

• Who is affected: Patients who rely on essential medicines; companies that make drug ingredients and finished drugs; federal health and security agencies.
• What changes: A maintained and published essential medicines list; a detailed risk assessment; a supply‑chain mapping and monitoring system; regular reports; and stronger information‑sharing with privacy and security protections.
• When: First list update within 180 days; risk report at 180 days and annually; mapping report at 18 months and annually; list reviewed at least every two years.