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US Justice Department opens way for more imports of medical gear
来源：shippingazette.com 编辑：编辑部 发布：2020/04/23 09:40:18
THE US Justice Department says it will not challenge the joint logistics activities of five large American medical supplies manufacturers to speed up the distribution of protective gear to medical workers on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.
McKesson Corp, Owens & Minor, Cardinal Health, Medline Industries and Henry Schein on March 24 requested from the Justice Department an expedited antitrust legal review of their collaboration, including working together on international sourcing, logistics and airlift operations, during the pandemic.
"These medical supplies distributors should be applauded for their efforts to both assist the United States in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and stay within the bounds of antitrust law," said US Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim in a statement, reported American Shipper.
The medical supplies distribution collaboration is part of an emergency response plan implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and US Health and Human Services (HHS) Department to rapidly address a national shortage of protective medical gear, such as face masks, gowns, gloves, as well as medicines, for hospitals dealing with coronavirus patients.
"The requesting parties have represented that they are working together to expand existing capacity and bring goods to communities in need," the Justice Department said in its 11-page approval letter to the five companies.
"The proposed conduct is limited in scope and duration, necessary to address Covid-19-related scarcity, and will not extend beyond what is required to facilitate the availability of needed supplies. Based on these representations and given the current circumstances, it appears as if the procompetitive aspects of any arrangement far outweigh any potential harm."
"Project Airbridge" flights from China have started to deliver large volumes of personal protective gear to Covid-19 hot spots throughout the US.
The health care distributors are participating in FEMA's Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force, which is working to preserve, procure, manufacture and accelerate delivery of critical medical supplies.
The Justice Department letter provided more details about what the private companies are doing to help the federal government with its logistics response. Their mission includes helping FEMA and foreign governments address bottlenecks at existing foreign suppliers; helping FEMA and HHS identify and qualify new sources of supply; and helping the agencies identify and monitor areas of increased demand for supplies and medications.
Plus, expediting distribution of supplies and medications to FEMA-designated Covid-19 locations; helping FEMA and HHS understand competitive prices for supplies and medications; helping negotiate competitive prices; and providing FEMA and HHS with claims data and other data.
Atlas Air is one of the all-cargo airlines participating in Project Airbridge. It has operated three flights so far ?two from China and one from Malaysia carrying supplies to New York City and Chicago.
The carrier operated a dedicated charter containing 65 tons of personal protective equipment, including 16,000 hazmat suits, for medical systems in the San Francisco Bay area. The shipment originated in Shanghai.
It also operated a B747-400 filled with personal protective equipment donated by a customer to Spain in March and worked with Airlink to organize the shipment of seven tons of surgical masks and other equipment from Shanghai to Los Angeles.
McKesson Corp, Owens & Minor, Cardinal Health, Medline Industries and Henry Schein on March 24 requested from the Justice Department an expedited antitrust legal review of their collaboration, including working together on international sourcing, logistics and airlift operations, during the pandemic.
"These medical supplies distributors should be applauded for their efforts to both assist the United States in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and stay within the bounds of antitrust law," said US Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim in a statement, reported American Shipper.
The medical supplies distribution collaboration is part of an emergency response plan implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and US Health and Human Services (HHS) Department to rapidly address a national shortage of protective medical gear, such as face masks, gowns, gloves, as well as medicines, for hospitals dealing with coronavirus patients.
"The requesting parties have represented that they are working together to expand existing capacity and bring goods to communities in need," the Justice Department said in its 11-page approval letter to the five companies.
"The proposed conduct is limited in scope and duration, necessary to address Covid-19-related scarcity, and will not extend beyond what is required to facilitate the availability of needed supplies. Based on these representations and given the current circumstances, it appears as if the procompetitive aspects of any arrangement far outweigh any potential harm."
"Project Airbridge" flights from China have started to deliver large volumes of personal protective gear to Covid-19 hot spots throughout the US.
The health care distributors are participating in FEMA's Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force, which is working to preserve, procure, manufacture and accelerate delivery of critical medical supplies.
The Justice Department letter provided more details about what the private companies are doing to help the federal government with its logistics response. Their mission includes helping FEMA and foreign governments address bottlenecks at existing foreign suppliers; helping FEMA and HHS identify and qualify new sources of supply; and helping the agencies identify and monitor areas of increased demand for supplies and medications.
Plus, expediting distribution of supplies and medications to FEMA-designated Covid-19 locations; helping FEMA and HHS understand competitive prices for supplies and medications; helping negotiate competitive prices; and providing FEMA and HHS with claims data and other data.
Atlas Air is one of the all-cargo airlines participating in Project Airbridge. It has operated three flights so far ?two from China and one from Malaysia carrying supplies to New York City and Chicago.
The carrier operated a dedicated charter containing 65 tons of personal protective equipment, including 16,000 hazmat suits, for medical systems in the San Francisco Bay area. The shipment originated in Shanghai.
It also operated a B747-400 filled with personal protective equipment donated by a customer to Spain in March and worked with Airlink to organize the shipment of seven tons of surgical masks and other equipment from Shanghai to Los Angeles.