McCain Pushes Drug-Import Bill Sought by Obama Budget
Prescription - drug imports , supported by President Barack Obama’s budget, would be allowed under a measure being introduced in the Senate today by his campaign rival, Senator John McCain.
Obama wants to reduce health-care costs to pay for plans to expand medical coverage for uninsured Americans. McCain, an Arizona Republican, will propose the bill with Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan, of North Dakota, and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, of Maine, according to an e-mailed statement.
Brand-name drugs in other countries cost as much as 70 percent less than in the U.S. Allowing imports would save Americans $50 billion over the next decade, including $10 billion for the U.S. government, the lawmakers said. Dorgan and Snowe introduced similar legislation before that was opposed by the pharmaceutical industry and former President George W. Bush.
“We do expect this to pass,” said Julia Wanzco, a spokeswoman for Snowe, in an interview today. “Part of the reason why this is such a big deal right now is because Obama announced in his budget a strong interest in implementing this policy.”
If it becomes law, the legislation “will bring consumers immediate relief and will ultimately force the pharmaceutical industry to lower drug prices in the U.S.,” according to the senators’ statement.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, a Washington-based trade organization of drugmakers including Pfizer Inc., opposes the legislation.
Counterfeiting, Adulteration
“The worldwide counterfeit threat is knocking at America’s door and will soon be greeted if prescription drug importation moves forward,” said Ken Johnson, senior vice president at PhRMA, in an e-mailed statement. “Interest in prescription drug importation is waning in part due to the millions of seniors accessing medicines and saving money through the Medicare prescription drug program and consumer weariness in the aftermath of recalled tainted foreign products.”
AARP, the largest advocacy group for older Americans, supported Dorgan’s original measure to permit imported drugs.
Obama’s budget calls for lower drug costs and improved medical product safety. It proposes spending $634 billion to expand U.S. health care, financing the “down payment” with increased taxes on wealthier Americans and cuts to government payments for some drugmakers and health insurers.
“The budget supports the Food and Drug Administration’s new efforts to allow Americans to buy safe and effective drugs from other countries,” said the document, released by Obama Feb. 26.
