Importation
Dangerous Assumptions Drawn From List of Permitted Countries
Periodically proposals are floated both in Washington, DC and state capitols that would allow Americans to import drugs from 32 “permitted” countries – Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and the 27 members of the European Union. There is a perception that these countries have “safe” drug supplies insulated from the dangers that every other nation in the world.
[...]To Import or Not To Import
That is the question that many of our lawmakers are asking. Senators Dorgan (D-ND), Snowe (R-ME), McCain (R-AZ) and Stabenow (D-MI) brought that question to the forefront when they introduced the “Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2009” (S. 525) in March. Currently waiting to be placed on the Senate calendar, the bill would allow for prescription drug importation.
[...]Letter to President Barack Obama
April 8, 2009 President Barack Obama1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM), a group of organizations and individuals that have policies, procedures, or programs to protect consumers from counterfeit or contraband medicines and dedicated to the safety of the drug supply, I would like…
[...]Is Drug Safety in the U.S. Moving in the Right Direction?
Protecting the public’s health is an important part of the part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) job. And on May 7, the FDA proposed several measures that would allow the agency to better regulate the safety of Americans’ food and medical products. The FDA request for the President’s fiscal year 2010 budget asks for $3.2 billion to protect and promote public health. This figure, which is a 19 percent increase from the current FDA fiscal year budget, is a significant step towards the direction of a safer pharmaceutical supply chain.
[...]Dr. Bayardo Cruz Pleads Guilty in California Fake IUD Case
Dr. Bayardo Cruz pleaded guilty to purchasing imported Mexican IUDs from a company called Universal Services. These devices cost $30 each, a substantial discount from the FDA approved versions, which ranged from $300 – $400 each. Cruz inserted 110 of the black market IUDs in his patients, but continued to bill Medi-Cal for the legitimate…
[...]Drug Importation: Small Savings at a Large Cost
Supporters of drug importation like to cite the statistic that if the United States were to permit drug importation, it would reduce total drug spending by $40 billion over 10 years. This figure is from the 2004 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issue brief on drug importation.
[...]The Last Line of Defense Against Counterfeit Drugs
Recently, there has been talk in our nation’s Capitol about overhauling the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) presence both in the United States and abroad. This is an important step in improving the safety of prescription medications from the global public health threat of counterfeit drugs and the untold harm they cause unsuspecting consumers. But, with limited budget and resources, will the FDA be able to pull off the task?
[...]Consumer Protection Group Opposes Drug Importation Bill
Partnership for Safe Medicines speaks clearly about the dangers of importing prescription drugs from Canada in its statement regarding the proposed “Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act” sponsored by Senators Dorgan (D-ND), Snowe (R-ME), McCain (R-AZ) and Stabenow (D-MI), which would allow for prescription drug importation.
[...]The Real Impact of IMPACT
Counterfeit drugs are a global problem that requires an international solution. In fact, an international cooperative effort is already underway with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT).
[...]What You Don’t Know About Importing Drugs From Canada
Facts About Importing Drugs From Canada
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