The collaborative was created under a coronavirus emergency response initiative led by FEMA and HHS.
The Department of Justice says it will not launch an antitrust challenge against five medical supply companies collaborating to expedite the manufacturing and delivery of personal protective equipment and other coronavirus-related supplies.
The companies – McKesson Corp., Owens & Minor Inc., Cardinal Health Inc., Medline Industries Inc., and Henry Schein Inc. – are working collaboratively as Medical Supplies Distributors under a coronavirus emergency response initiative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Health and Human Services.
"These Medical Supplies Distributors should be applauded for their efforts to both assist the United States in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and stay within the bounds of antitrust law," Assistant U.S. Attorney General Makan Delrahim said in a media release.
Medical Supplies Distributors has developed Project Airbridge, which works with FEMA and HHS and logistics companies to expedite and airlift PPE and other supplies and medications to pandemic "hotspots" across the country.
Medical Supplies Distributors submitted their collaborative for DOJ review on March 24. DOJ approved the request on Saturday.
“These Medical Supplies Distributors should be applauded for their efforts to both assist the United States in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and stay within the bounds of antitrust law. ”
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Makan Delrahim
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.
Photo credit: Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The companies – McKesson Corp., Owens & Minor Inc., Cardinal Health Inc., Medline Industries Inc., and Henry Schein Inc. – are working collaboratively as Medical Supplies Distributors.
The collaborative has developed Project Airbridge to expedite and airlift PPE and other supplies and medications to pandemic "hotspots" across the country.