Medical Supply Chains

Counterfeit Masks Reaching Frontline Health Workers in U.S.

The latest in our investigation into medical supply chains traces counterfeit masks from China to hospitals and frontline workers across the U.S.

The exterior of Chinese factory Shanghai Dasheng is shown May 6, 2020 in Shanghai, China. An Associated Press investigation has found millions of medical masks, gloves, gowns and other supplies being used in hospitals across the country are counterfeits, putting lives at risk. (FRONTLINE/PBS/GRC via AP)

More Medical Supply Chains Stories

Why was the United States left scrambling for critical medical equipment as the coronavirus swept the country? An investigation into the fragmented global medical supply chain and its deadly consequences. Streaming now.

Medical supply chains are the fragile lifelines between raw materials and manufacturers overseas, and health care workers on COVID-19 front lines in the U.S. As link after link broke, the system fell apart. This catastrophic collapse was one of the country’s most consequential failures to control the virus.