NFI
endorses legislation allowing prescription drug
reimportation
August 13, 2007--The
National
Federation of Independent Business
has announced its endorsement of legislation (S
242 and
HR 380)
that would allow the purchase of lower-cost,
FDA-approved
drugs from other nations,
CQ HealthBeat reports (CQ
HealthBeat,
8/10).
The legislation would allow consumers,
pharmacies and wholesalers to purchase
FDA-approved prescription drugs that are
manufactured at FDA-inspected facilities in 19
industrialized nations.
Under the legislation, which would establish a
regulatory framework for reimportation, FDA
would regulate shipments of prescription drugs
reimported into the U.S. for commercial or
personal use.
The bill also would require FDA to inspect
Canadian prescription drug exporters 12 times
annually (Kaiser
Daily Health Policy Report,
5/8).
In its endorsement letter, NFIB wrote that the
legislation "secures a framework for the safe
and legal importation of prescription drugs,"
adding that it "is pleased that your legislation
includes specific requirements that ensure that
every imported drug meets U.S. safety
standards."
More than 50 consumer, labor and other
organizations have endorsed the bills, which
would save U.S. residents an estimated $50
billion over the next 10 years, according to
advocates.
Opponents of the legislation, including the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of
America, claim allowing drug
reimportation would open the nation's drug
supply to counterfeiters (CQ
HealthBeat,
8/10).
