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Charted: U.S. Pharmaceutical Drug Imports from China
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Key Takeaways
- China supplies 95% of U.S. ibuprofen imports and 70% of acetaminophen imports
- Roughly 90% of medicines prescribed in the U.S. are imported from other countries
The U.S. heavily depends on overseas suppliers for many of its essential medicines, and China plays a pivotal role in that supply chain.
This graphic breaks down the share of U.S. pharmaceutical imports from China for four common drugs, based on the latest available 2021 data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Commerce, accessed via the Coalition for a Prosperous America.
China’s Role in the U.S. Pharma Supply Chain
Over the last two decades, China has become a dominant supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished drug products to the United States. In 2021, China was the leading supplier of U.S. pharmaceutical imports by weight, accounting for 23% of the total.
Here are some common pharmaceutical drugs for which the U.S. depends heavily on Chinese imports:
| Drug | Description | Example | Share of U.S. Imports from China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibuprofen | Anti-inflammatory pain reliever | Advil, Motrin | 95% |
| Hydrocortisone | Anti-itch steroid cream |
Cortizone-10, some versions of Polysporin and Canesten |
91% |
| Acetaminophen | Pain and fever reliever |
Tylenol, Dayquil | 70% |
| Penicillin | Antibiotic | Penicillin VK, Penicillin G | 40-45% |
China supplies 95% of U.S. imports of ibuprofen, which is used in over-the-counter drugs like Advil and Motrin. Similarly, 70% of U.S. acetaminophen (used in Tylenol and DayQuil) imports originate from China.
Furthermore, China accounts for 91% of U.S. hydrocortisone imports. Hydrocortisone is the medicinal preparation of the hormone cortisol, and is used to treat allergies and inflammation.
Penicillin, a widely-used antibiotic, is also primarily imported from Chinese manufacturers.
America’s Growing Pharma Import Dependency
Today, 90% of prescription drugs consumed in the U.S. are imported from other countries, making it the world’s largest pharmaceutical importer.
Since 2001, pharmaceutical imports have surged more than sixfold, and pharmaceutical goods now rank one of the most-imported goods into the United States.
This trend has raised concerns about supply chain security, particularly considering global disruptions like COVID-19, when sudden spikes in demand lead to shortages.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
For more insights, see Where Global Pharma Production is Concentrated on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.