HHS extends deadline, modifies designation of scarce materials subject to COVID-19 hoarding prevention measures

The Department of Health and Humans Services extended the designation issued Feb. 1 under Executive Order 13910 and section 102 of the Defense Production Act, as amended, for health and medical resources necessary to respond to the spread COVID-19 that are scarce or the supply of which would be threatened by excessive accumulation by people or entities not needing the excess supplies. 

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra removed 17 items from the list, including N-95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators, portable ventilators and other specified personal protective equipment, supplies and equipment. HHS kept four items on the list, including medical gowns or apparel, certain laboratory reagents and materials, certain drug products, and syringes and hypodermic needles. These designated materials are subject to the hoarding prevention measures authorized under the executive order and the DPA. The action took effect July 1 and terminates Nov. 15, 2021.