• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Lawmakers See Savings in Canada's Medicines; State Bills Aim to Ease Access to Imported Prescription Drugs

Posted on: Friday, 28 January 2005, 18:00 CST

In a delicate dance with federal law, state legislators are trying to make it easier for Washingtonians to order prescription drugs from Canada.

"Washington seniors are hemorrhaging money for prescription drugs," said Lauren Moughon, a lobbyist for the senior citizens' group AARP. "These bills are not the end-all, be-all, but it's something we can do at the local level."

The proposals - some of which need federal approval - would save the state millions of dollars a year, proponents said. They would help save poor people from having to choose between heating their homes or paying for medicine.

"Just 200 miles to the north in British Columbia, prescription drugs cost up to 80 percent less than they do in Washington state," said Rep. Geoff Simpson, D-Covington. "If I could go 200 miles and buy a $20,000 car for just $4,000, I'd be willing to walk there."

The feds don't like the idea of buying drugs in Canada, though. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has forcefully objected to efforts to formalize drug purchases from Canada and elsewhere, saying it cannot vouch for the safety of imported drugs. Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh is considering a proposal to prevent Internet pharmacies from selling mail-order prescriptions to U.S. consumers.

In Olympia, drug researchers and lobbyists warned Tuesday that letting Americans buy price-controlled foreign drugs reduces the profit that drug companies use to develop new and better drugs.

"The countries that have drug controls are not the countries where drug research occurs," said Dr. Art Zoloth, a board member on the state pharmacy association.

These are familiar arguments in Olympia, with similar bills fought to a standstill between Democrats and Republicans in recent years. This year, however, Democrats control the House, Senate and governor's mansion.

The federal government says it's illegal to import wholesale quantities of drugs from Canada. There is a loophole, however, that allows Americans to buy a three-month supply of Canadian medicine.

And many are. An estimated 1 million to 2 million Americans are routinely buying medicine from Canada, according to the Associated Press.

Among them: Democratic Rep. Sherry Appleton's mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. One cancer drug, Appleton said, was costing her mother $294 a month. In Canada, the same drug was $34 a month. Today, Appleton's mom buys most of her drugs through a Canadian pharmacy, spending $300 a month for drugs that used to cost her $856.

To make it easier for such people, former Gov. Gary Locke last year set up a state internet Web site: www.rx.wa.gov. It tells people how to order drugs through Canadian pharmacies that the state of Wisconsin has inspected. The state also runs a phone service (1- 888-435-3377) to help connect patients with drug discounts or free medicine offered by drug companies.

Bills now in the Legislature would expand that program. Among them:

-- HB 1168: Would authorize Washington's state board of pharmacy to license Canadian pharmacies that mail or ship medicine to Washingtonians.

-- HB 1194: Would allow state agencies to buy drugs from Canadian wholesalers if the federal FDA eventually approves. Taxpayers could easily save $10 million a year in medicines for prisoners, the poor, state workers and others, Simpson said.

-- HB 1316: Asks the FDA to let the state license Canadian drug wholesalers.

-- HB 1219: Requires the state Health Care Authority to develop a prescription drug-buying group, which private companies, unions and individuals could join. Those that do, proponents say, would be able to get drugs at bulk rates, saving up to 15 percent.

Drug company officials and some lawmakers warned Tuesday that Canadian drugs may not be as safe as those from FDA-approved pharmacies in America.

"What happens if we get a bad drug from a Canadian pharmacy?" said Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum.

Highly unlikely, said Simpson.

"You never hear about Canadian citizens dropping dead from bad prescription drugs," he said. And it may be more dangerous, he said, to have Americans languishing without medicine they can't afford.

To help ensure safety, he said, HB 1194 wouldn't allow importation of Canadian narcotics, injectable drugs or medicine that requires refrigeration.

Some lawmakers conceded that the bills could end up in court, but advocates urged them not to sit on the issue for yet another year.

"Send Washington (D.C.) a message," said Lacey resident Ruth Shearer. "Try to wake them up to the fact that they're supposed to be representing us."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: Spokesman Review

More News in this Category