The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is trying to kill two birds _ with one stone with its new Secure Supply Chain Pilot Program (SSCPP). Getting under way after about five years of contemplation, the program will allow select manufacturers to bring in both raw materials, called active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), and finished drugs with minimal inspection at U.S. ports. This will allow the FDA to focus import inspections on what we'll call, for want of a better term, "more suspect" manufacturers. At the same time, the companies chosen for the SSCPP will presumably be able to supply their drugs-each company has up to five products designated in the program-to retail and hospital pharmacies on a much more predetermined schedule. Shipments will not get waylaid by customs officials.
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