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Congressman McCaul asks FDA and HHS for their Plan to Quickly Manufacture COVID-19 Treatments

April 1, 2020

Austin, TX – As the United States braces for an increase of COVID-19 cases, Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), Lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, addressed our country's dire need for new treatments by asking Commissioner Stephan Hahn, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Secretary Alex Azar, Department of the Health and Human Services (HHS) for their plan to quickly approve, manufacture and distribute potential COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.

As the American public braces for the worst two weeks of the virus, Congressman McCaul urged both the FDA and HHS to utilize new and existing funding and authorities to approve, manufacture and roll out new treatments. This includes, actively engaging with private sector companies to manufacture new treatments and fast-tracking the approval of manufacturing.

"Life saving treatments and vaccines are critical as we see an increase in COVID-19 cases and fatalities," said Congressman McCaul.

"There are many potential treatments and vaccines currently in development – including one from Gilead Sciences that is in a Phase III trial. We must not waste a moment longer than is necessary to put potential treatments and vaccines in the hands of the American people. By sufficiently supplying our healthcare industry's arsenal to combat this deadly virus and utilizing public-private partnerships we could save lives."