Senator Figueroa leads attack of California elected officials outraged over increased pharmaceutical seizures

Sacramento - State Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) leads a coalition of California elected officials who are demanding an explanation for the recent increases in the seizing and destroying of safe and affordable prescription medications.
 

This concentrated effort by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to confiscate medication purchased by Californians through the mail from well-regulated foreign countries, reverses a long-standing policy of allowing small supplies of non-narcotics to be imported for personal use.

“Without prior notice or explanation many Californians have been denied access to the life-saving medication they depended on,” Figueroa said. “We believe that these actions are reckless and unnecessary and have put the health of thousands at risk.”

Most of the prescriptions confiscated include cardiac, respiratory, and even diabetic medications that Californians need to stay healthy. Legitimate international pharmacies are a life-saver for patients, mostly seniors, who do not have prescription drug coverage or cannot afford the high domestic prices. The median age of those being denied medications is 69 years.

The crackdowns began in November, and the timing has not gone unnoticed. The coalition questions whether this effort is aimed at steering seniors into the Administration's new Medicare drug program, which has generated confusion since it went into effect. Escalated seizure activity began 2 days after the start of the enrollment period. The increase in seizures and the strong legal warnings issued to consumers mark a shift in policy for the Bush administration, which until now has rarely acted against individuals who buy drugs from Canada.

“The fact that these seizures happen to coincide with the enrollment period for Medicare Part D makes them suspicious,” Figueroa said. “It appears like a politically motivated, strategic effort on behalf of the Administration.”

The coalition sent a letter today to the CBP demanding answers for their recent actions. Although they claim to be protecting the American public, the CBP's unexplained and inconsistent efforts have done just the opposite.

Senator Figueroa chairs the Business and Professions Committee which oversees the California Board of Pharmacy. Her office also participated in a fact-finding mission to Canadian pharmacies in 2004.