RAPID Reserve Act

This bill aims to prevent drug shortages by building a rolling reserve of key medicines and the ingredients used to make them. The health department would pay qualified drug makers to keep about a six‑month supply of certain “critical” drugs and their active ingredients, refresh the stock regularly, and publish the list of covered medicines. In an emergency, the department could direct where these supplies go and require companies to share ingredients with other manufacturers to meet patient needs.

The plan favors making medicines in the United States and sourcing key materials at home when possible. Contracts would focus on improving quality, lowering costs, and cutting the risk of severe shortages by boosting backup capacity. The department could also help build or upgrade non‑federal plants to strengthen the supply of critical drugs. Within 180 days, it must issue guidance on which drugs qualify, who can take part, and what extra capacity and quality systems are required .

• Who is affected: Patients who rely on critical medicines; drug makers who produce them; hospitals and pharmacies that need steady supplies.
• What changes: Companies would keep a fresh six‑month reserve; share ingredients or follow allocation orders during emergencies; and get preference if they manufacture and source materials domestically. The department can support building or upgrading facilities to increase supply and surge capacity .
• When: Guidance must be issued within 180 days; progress reports are due every two years after the first awards; and $500 million is authorized for fiscal year 2026 to run the program .