News in brief - March 17, 2003

R.I. proposes reimportation bill - IMS, Harris form alliance - Calif. EDs hit on uncompensated care -

R.I. proposes reimportation bill

Backed by the state's medical society, two Rhode Island lawmakers have proposed legislation that would allow Canadian pharmacies to register and export prescription drugs to consumers in the state like any typical U.S. pharmacy can.

The legislation, offered by Democratic State Rep. Fausto Anguilla and Democratic Sen. Rhode Perry, also would give the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy the power to regulate and grant exporting rights to the pharmacies, adding a level of security that currently is lacking, proponents said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibits reimporting medication available in this country. While some bills allowing seniors or people with chronic conditions to import drugs from Canada have made it through Congress, none has been signed into law.

Reimportation proponents say there seems to be a gray area when it comes to personal use, and policing mail orders is nearly impossible.

Steve DeToy, director of government and public affairs for the Rhode Island Medical Society, said the bill would not affect how the average physician practices, but it could help his or her clinical outcomes if the patient can afford to take all the medication the doctor is prescribing.

IMS, Harris form alliance

IMS Health Inc. and Harris Interactive Inc. have formed a strategic alliance to create new research products that will give pharmaceutical companies a better understanding of physicians' prescribing behavior and attitudes.

Under the alliance, Harris Interactive will poll physicians about why they prescribe or don't prescribe a specific drug, which in turn will give pharmaceutical companies "predictive" data that they can use to fine-tune marketing programs. Harris Interactive is a polling organization that has signed up more than 17,000 physicians around the country who have agreed to be surveyed on health care topics. IMS Health is a pharmaceutical market research company.

Calif. EDs hit on uncompensated care

California emergency departments had $540 million in losses from uncompensated care in 2001, a 24% increase over the previous year, according to a California Medical Assn. report released Feb. 27.

The total was split between a $390 million loss for hospitals and a $150 million loss for physicians. The losses were blamed on more visits by uninsured patients and reduced reimbursement rates from insurers.

The uncompensated care could force more emergency departments to close their doors, said Gary Tamkin, MD, president of the California Chapter of the American Academy of Emergency Physicians.

In response, California Democratic Sen. Gloria Romero has introduced a bill calling for a 5-cent tax on alcoholic drinks, which would go to emergency departments and trauma centers.