Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has called on the Biden-Harris Administration to take action against two pharmaceutical companies based in Xinjiang, China, which he claims are exploiting American laws and profiting from forced labor. Despite the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) being enacted in 2021, a recent report indicates that Xinjiang Nuziline Bio-Pharmaceutical Co. and SEL Biochem Xinjiang Co. continue to distribute pharmaceuticals in the United States.

Rubio sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging them to add these companies to the UFLPA Entity List and remove them from the FDA’s Registered Drug Establishments Site. This move would prevent these entities from distributing products allegedly linked to forced labor within the U.S.

“The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act assures the American people that the products they purchase were made without slave labor,” Rubio stated. He emphasized that it is crucial for both departments and the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to act immediately.

The senator's letter highlights significant national security and public health risks associated with sourcing pharmaceuticals from regions known for human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He also stressed that banning companies involved in such practices aligns with promoting freedom and democracy.

Rubio further urged a comprehensive review of all pharmaceutical companies authorized by the FDA to ensure compliance with current laws prohibiting imports linked to forced labor.

The Centers for Advanced Defense Studies recently reported that despite legal prohibitions, at least two pharmaceutical producers from Xinjiang are still allowed by the FDA to import active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) into America. These findings have raised concerns about insufficient oversight by both the FDA and DHS regarding business operations of foreign pharmaceutical producers in the U.S.

Senator Rubio reiterated his demand for immediate corrective actions by federal agencies, seeking assurance through a formal response detailing their commitment to addressing these issues.