America’s Next Supply Chain Crisis Could Hit the Pharmacy Counter

By Sam Kuebler for Federal Newswire

War has a way of exposing the fragility of the systems we rely on most. The ongoing conflict with Iran is already reshaping global energy markets and trade routes, but one of the most overlooked consequences may be its impact on the pharmaceutical supply chain, and ultimately on the ability of Americans to access basic healthcare needs.

The modern pharmaceutical industry is built on globalization. Medicines sold in the United States often depend on ingredients manufactured overseas, shipped through complex logistics networks, and processed in multiple countries before reaching a pharmacy shelf. When geopolitical conflict disrupts those networks, the ripple effects are immediate.

Today, that disruption is happening in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors, the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly a fifth of global oil passes through this narrow waterway, and instability there has already raised energy prices and disrupted key shipping routes. 

Energy shocks matter for healthcare because pharmaceuticals rely on petrochemicals and global transportation networks. When oil prices spike or cargo routes are blocked, the cost of producing and shipping medicines rises as well. In fact, freight costs for pharmaceutical shipments have increased as airlines and shipping companies reroute around the conflict zone. 

The effects do not stop there. Many of the generic drugs Americans rely on, such as antibiotics and blood pressure medications, are manufactured overseas, particularly in Asia. These medicines often travel through Middle Eastern trade routes before reaching the U.S. market. When those routes are disrupted, delays and shortages become more likely. 

For policymakers in Washington, this moment should serve as a reminder of the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. National security is not just about military strength, but also healthcare resilience. A country that cannot reliably supply its population with essential medicines during geopolitical crises is a country with a strategic vulnerability.

That is why empowering American pharmacies must be part of the solution. Local pharmacies are the frontline of the healthcare system. In many communities, especially rural towns and underserved areas, they are the most accessible healthcare providers available. Pharmacists help patients manage chronic diseases, ensure medication adherence, and provide vaccinations and preventative care.

Yet despite their importance, pharmacies across the country are struggling to survive. Supply chain disruptions, economic realities, and regulatory burdens have forced pharmacies to close over the past decade. That trend points to a national resilience problem.

In times of global instability, the last mile of the healthcare system becomes even more important. If supply chains tighten and medications become scarce, Americans will rely on trusted pharmacists to help navigate shortages, identify alternatives, and ensure continuity of care. A strong network of pharmacies is therefore not just good healthcare policy, but good national security policy.

While a lot of the media and Congressional rhetoric is focused on attacking large American businesses in the healthcare space, it is the current times when Americans rely on them the most. These larger businesses have the financial resources to prepare and react to supply chain shocks and disruptions while taking on the necessary risk to get patients their medications. They also have the distribution networks to prevent delays that can be life or death for some. 

Congress should recognize this reality. Policies that expand pharmacists’ scope of practice, protect larger pharmacy networks, and strengthen domestic pharmaceutical supply chains would not only improve healthcare access but also protect Americans during times of geopolitical disruption.

Faraway conflicts may feel distant from everyday life in the United States, but the consequences do not stay overseas. They travel through shipping lanes, energy markets, and supply chains, which eventually arrive at the neighborhood pharmacy.

If policymakers want to strengthen America’s healthcare system in an uncertain world, they should start by ensuring that the pharmacies serving our communities have the support they need to keep Americans healthy, no matter what happens abroad.

Sam Kuebler is a Board Member of the American Growth and Innovation Forum.