Drug Importation in New Mexico: An Overview

Synopsis:

In March 2020, the Governor of New Mexico signed SB1, a bill which creates a "wholesale prescription drug importation program" to be administered by New Mexico's Department of Health.

New Mexico published the draft of its application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and submitted the final version to HHS in December  2020. Consult PSM's analysis on the right to learn more about their proposed plans.

Official actions and statements

News

  • N.M. May Get Med Imports From Canada Under Trump Order, September 25, 2020
    "An outline of the program must be submitted by Dec. 15 to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, Morgan said, adding that the public will have a chance to comment on the program before then."

Op-eds from the Experts

Santa Cruz Sentinel logo

Importation “Too Good to Be True, ” Business Columnist Warns

April 19, 2019

In this editorial, which was published in The Santa Cruz Sentinel on April 18, 2019, business columnist Jeffrey Scharf argues that importation of prescription drugs is a plan that is too good to be true.

Head of Patient Advocacy Organization Warns That Drug Importation Is Not The Solution American Patients Need

April 18, 2019

In this editorial by Terry Wilcox published in Inside Sources on April 18, 2019, Terry Wilcox, executive director of a patient advocacy organization advices federal and state representatives that allowing drug importation is not the right policy solution for America’s high prescription drug prices…

Canadian law enforcement: Smugglers will exploit importation to traffic counterfeit medicine

April 17, 2019

In this editorial, which was published in Colorado Politics on April 17, 2019, Don Bell, a 30-year veteran of Canadian law enforcement and border protection, warns that Canadian drug importation will open the U.S. to counterfeit medicine and exacerbate drug shortages in Canada.

PSM's Analysis of New Mexico's Application

New Mexico's October 2020 draft application was very close to its final submission in December

To get up to speed:

  • Read "What is Drug Importation?," a short primer and guide to keeping New Mexico residents safe and learning the myths of Canadian drug importation.
  • Catch up on our analysis:

Watch our video and read the accompanying blog to hear our analysis of New Mexico's draft application.

PSM Coverage:

New Mexico public hearing on Canadian Drug Importation (Dec. 2, 2020)

December 3, 2020

On Tuesday, December 2, 2020, New Mexico conducted their one and only public hearing on their plan to import medicine from Canada (over Canada’s objections). While the hearing was largely a formality, there was some interesting testimony.

An Analysis Of New Mexico’s Draft Canadian Drug Importation Plan

November 12, 2020

The state of New Mexico released a draft of its Canadian drug importation plan. PSM analyzed the plan, paying particular attention to concerns pharmacists might have about how drug importation might affect their patients and business…

New Mexico Pharmacists Association Expresses Concern Over Allowing Drug Importation In Letter to Congress

April 30, 2019

The New Mexico Pharmacists Association recently sent their own letter to members of Congress expressing their concerns about allowing drug importation. PSM had the chance to speak with their executive director to learn more about the realities and misconceptions that people have about prescription drugs and drug importation…

Additional Resources:

Recent Statements Opposing Canadian Drug Importation

Prescription Drugs in Wyoming, Evaluating State Policy Options For Lowering Costs (October 1, 2020)
The Wyoming Department of Health concluded that it is "virtually impossible to guarantee that consumers will actually see savings, particularly in the case of Canadian drug importation. Basic economics also suggests fundamental problems with this plan that make it unsustainable in the long-run."

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