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

Canadian Law Enforcement Veteran Urges Cross-Border Cooperation to Fight Fentanyl and Other Counterfeit Medicines

August 29, 2018

In this August 21, 2018 editorial for the Havre Daily News Canada Border Services Agency and the Ontario Provincial Police veteran Don Bell talks about the need for Canada and the United States to work together to combat counterfeit drugs.

National Sheriffs’ Association Sends Letter of Concern About Importation of Prescription Drugs

August 29, 2018

On August 8, 2018, the National Sheriffs’ Association wrote the President to oppose prescription drug importation. Importing drugs from other countries, they say, “jeopardizes law enforcement’s ability to protect the public health and endangers the safety of law enforcement and other first responders.”

Drug Importation is Fraught with Peril

August 23, 2018

As a licensed pharmacist, I’m all too familiar with patients’ difficulties getting medications they need and their physician has prescribed. As baby boomers age, pharmacists see more patients at our counters unable to obtain needed treatments for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. This issue is now being acknowledged and a healthy debate has begun over possible solutions. But one idea policymakers shouldn’t pursue is opening up our country’s secure drug supply to medicines coming from outside our borders.

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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