Shepherd MD.* Impact of Drug Importation on Community Pharmacy and Patient Care. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2007 May-Jun ;47:319-20, 323-4, 327

Abstract. With the political powers shifting in both congressional houses, many pharmaceutical issues have resurfaced in the 110th Congress. One of these is legalization of drug importation. Many Democrats and Republicans have already stated that this is a high-priority item. In the first 60 days of the First Session, two bills were introduced that would legalize drug importation (Senate Bills 251 and 242). At the state level, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, and Oklahoma have bills pending on drug importation. Over the years, various polls have indicated that the majority of the American public favors drug importation.

As Americans consider the wisdom of drug importation, the point needs to be made that the debate about importing drugs is not about importing drug products; it is about taking advantage of other countries’ governmental drug price controls.

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