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Senate
Backs Wider Importing of Canada Prescription Drugs By
SARAH LUECK WASHINGTON - The Senate voted to allow broader importation of prescription drugs from Canada but included a provision that could prevent it from ever happening. In a 62-28 vote Friday, the Senate backed allowing licensed pharmacists and drug distributors to bring in medications from Canada, where they often are less expensive. The amendment, attached to broader Medicare-overhaul legislation expected to pass this week, would allow people around the country -- not just those taking bus trips over the border or ordering over the Internet -- to purchase Canadian products in their local stores. Currently, only drug makers and their affiliates can legally import prescription drugs. The House hasn't voted on the measure yet, but it could come up when the House considers Medicare legislation this week. In 2000, Congress passed similar legislation and, several times since then, both the House and Senate have taken up the issue, which plays well with senior citizens who have been demanding help with prescription-drug costs. But as with the 2000 measure, even if this proposal becomes law, it will probably make little difference to consumers. A provision in this year's plan, proposed by Sen. Thad Cochran (R., Miss.) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, requires the Health and Human Services secretary to certify that the system would be safe and save consumers money before it can be implemented. Similar language in the 2000 bill stymied importation because HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, as well as his Democratic predecessor, declined to certify the safety of importation. A spokesman for Mr. Thompson indicated he still has safety concerns about importation as set out in this bill. The drug industry, also citing safety concerns, has opposed importation. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D., N.D.), sponsor of the importation amendment, said he remained hopeful. "It's implausible to have concerns" about safety under the amendment, he said, because it allows only licensed pharmacists and distributors in the U.S. to import the drugs and because Canada's safety system is similar to the one in the U.S. Copyright ©
2002 Global Action on Aging
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