Richard Burr: “I am pleased that many of the agriculture needs of the U.S. are covered in this legislation, yet I need to express my…”

“I am pleased that many of the agriculture needs of the U.S. are covered in this legislation, yet I need to express my concerns with the reimportation provision. It is important to remember why the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1988 (PDMA) was enacted in the first place. At the time, there was considerable evidence that counterfeit and otherwise adulterated drugs were entering U.S. commerce from abroad. After a lengthy investigation, the Commerce Committee concluded that greater restrictions on pharmaceutical imports into the U.S. were essential to protect the safety of American patients and the integrity of the U.S. drug supply. In response, a bipartisan Congress enacted PDMA. PDMA was designed to (1) prevent the introduction of prescription drugs that may have been improperly stored, handled, and shipped overseas, and (2) reduce the opportunities for importation of counterfeit and unapproved prescription drugs. As Vice Chairman of the Commerce Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee, I have participated in two hearings on the importation of counterfeit bulk drugs.”