Pete Stark: “I rise to address the reimportation provisions of the FY 2001 agriculture appropriations legislation that is before the…”

“I rise to address the reimportation provisions of the FY 2001 agriculture appropriations legislation that is before the House today. In recent weeks, these provisions have been the subject of considerable controversy: Some Members have asserted that allowing wholesalers to reimport FDA-approved pharmaceuticals will essentially solve the problem of overpricing, while others say the practice will expose U.S. consumers to unsafe products. Some argue that the legislation is so riddled with loopholes as to be useless, while others believe the final compromise is workable. The bill is an attempt to address obscenely high drug prices. But it is far too limited in its approach, because it assumes that wholesalers reimporting prescription drugs will do so at prices that are affordable for the 15 million seniors and disabled Americans who do not have any form of insurance to cover the cost of their medications. This is a flawed assumption. There is no guarantee that the 'middlemen' in this bill will actually pass along substantial drug discounts to consumers who need them. And the bill's loopholes will allow pharmaceutical companies to keep drug prices inflated through restrictive contracts and control of FDA-required labels. What seniors clearly need above all else is a Medicare drug benefit. Democrats support legislation, H.R. 4770, to guarantee comprehensive drug coverage to any senior who wants to sign up.”