New Working Group Focuses On Industrial Base Needs In The Medical Supply Chain

Alexandria, VA, March 29, 2023 – The Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) today announced the creation of a new working group aimed at collaborating with policymakers on a strategic and sustainable industrial base in the United States.

“HIDA supports thoughtful expansion of domestic and nearshored manufacturing capacity for critical products to augment global sources,” said HIDA President and CEO Matthew J. Rowan. “Manufacturers and distributors need clear market signals from the public sector to manage production and inventory and avoid extreme fluctuations in demand that leave populations vulnerable to shortages.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health products distributors and manufacturers rallied to the needs of providers and patients, producing more than 91.9 billion units of personal protective equipment (PPE) in 2020-2021. After a massive percentage spike in 2020, demand across all categories of PPE returned to 2019 levels in 2021. Associated Press reported that over 300 businesses founded in the wake of the pandemic across 10 states had closed by April 2022, despite over $125 million in funding from federal and state grants.


The HIDA Industrial Base Working Group will collaborate with federal partners to provide industry perspectives on strategic and thoughtful approaches to build on the industrial base for critical medical products.

About HIDA

Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) represents the healthcare distribution network – the essential link between global healthcare supply manufacturers and local care providers. HIDA members operate more than 500+ distribution centers to bring critical products, supplies, and services to more than 560,000 healthcare settings across the U.S., including hospitals, long-term care, physician practices, home care, and laboratories. Visit HIDA.org.