Senate Approves Bill to Legalize Import Of Prescription Drugs
From Foreign Countries
Senate OK's Prescription Imports

By Janelle Carter
Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, July 19, 2000; 7:18 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON �� The Senate agreed Wednesday to lift a ban on importing prescription drugs into the United States from foreign countries, responding to critics who have complained that Americans are being gouged by drug prices.

The measure, which passed 74-21, was attached to the agriculture spending bill currently being debated in the Senate. The debate centers on complaints that Americans are paying more for drugs available at a cheaper cost in some other countries.

"Why are we charged so much more for the identical drug?" said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. and one of the sponsors of the measure. "If someone else is paying half price or a third of the price than is being charged to the American consumer ... why can't the American consumer have access to those drugs in a global economy?"

Dorgan said the measure will "force the industry to reprice their drugs in this country."

The bill also would bar the FDA from discouraging Americans from buying prescription drugs in Canada and other foreign countries. Technically, it's illegal to import prescription drugs that were originally made in the United States, and the Food and Drug Administration sometimes sends warning letters to people caught doing it.

The House has already passed similar measures. One House provision would prohibit the Food and Drug Administration from enforcing import bans. The other House provision would allow Americans to legally bring prescription drugs across the border from Canada and Mexico.