APHA Dismayed By HHS Task Force Report on Drug Importation; Statement From Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, Executive Director

WASHINGTON, Dec, 21 /U.S. Newswire/ — The following is a statement from Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, Executive Director, on findings released today by the Department of Health and Human Services Task Force on Drug Importation:

The American Public Health Association is very disappointed in the findings released today by the Department of Health and Human Services Task Force on Drug Importation that oppose importing drugs from other countries to reduce health care costs and improve access to therapies.

“The enormous and fast-rising costs of prescription drugs have forced many Americans, especially seniors and those living with marginal incomes, to delay or forgo necessary treatment.

“We continue to believe that a safe system for reimportation could be designed if we had the national will.

“While we do not believe this is the only or a permanent solution to controlling the costs of prescription drugs, we do believe that this is an appropriate and timely measure to curb the skyrocketing costs of these medications.”

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The American Public Health Association, the oldest organization of public health professionals, represents more than 50,000 members from over 50 public health occupations. More information is available at http://www.apha.org.

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