Orrin Hatch: “I thank my colleague. Almost 2 years ago today, we visited the issue of whether to allow importation of prescription…”

“I thank my colleague. Almost 2 years ago today, we visited the issue of whether to allow importation of prescription drugs from other countries. The Senate has before it today The Prescription Drug Price Parity for Americans Act, designed to permit the commercial importation of prescription drugs from Canada and to permit personal importation of prescription drugs from any country. S. 2244 is intended to modify the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000, MEDSA, attempts both to address the safety concerns voiced by FDA, DEA, U.S. Customs, Secretary of HHS, and others and also expand the personal importation exemption contained in current law. As I will explain, reimportation was not a good idea then, and it is an absolutely terrible idea today, especially after 9/11. The high cost of pharmaceuticals in indeed one of the most difficult matters facing our society today. We face a harsh reality: At a time when scientists are able to offer an unbelievable new array of medication, diagnostics, and vaccines, many Americans are encountering difficulties in affording these state-of-the-art and often cost therapeutics. We have all heard stories of Americans going across the borders to Mexico and Canada to purchase cheaper drugs. This type of activity is also increasing over the Internet.”