Saving Lives
Photo courtesy of U.S. Agency for International Development
I was part of the team in the Bureau for Global Health that delivered life-saving medicine all over the world, demonstrating the goodwill of the American people and creating partnerships abroad to counter foreign malign influence. To ensure this medicine, paid for by U.S. taxpayers, actually reached patients in need, my work focused on supply chain security and countering corruption.
We used USAID donations to prevent corruption and catalyze accountability of public institutions and foreign governments—accountability that would ultimately phase out the need for donated support. Our focus on supply chain security mitigated falsified medicines being put into circulation. Falsified medication can lead to antimicrobial resistance, allowing new superbugs that do not have a cure to find their way to American shores.
Now, not only are the most underserved and destitute communities in the world dying of preventable diseases, but governments are being supported by adversaries to the United States and are not being held to USAID’s standards. The trade of falsified medicines will likely increase, posing a threat to U.S. national security.
USAID’s important work created goodwill and gave the United States an advantage in foreign policy negotiations. We no longer have a seat at the table.
—Anonymous FS Member