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Drug reimportation situation is shifting as Canada could cut availability

Demand, congressional attention and a Canadian government proposal could mean suppliers increasingly move to overseas sources.

By Joel B. Finkelstein, amednews staff. Jan. 24, 2005.

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Washington -- Some federal lawmakers are pushing hard to allow Americans to readily buy prescription drugs from other countries, but passing such legislation could be the death knell for current trends in reimportation.

As more and more U.S. residents shop across the border for pharmaceuticals -- one estimate put total sales at close to $700 million from Canada alone in 2003 -- a political war has been raging between lawmakers who say Americans should be able to do so legally and those who say it isn't worth the risk.

That debate will be front and center in Congress this year as reimportation legislation that failed to move last year is reintroduced. Senate Democrats are expected to push hard for passage of measures that could require the Food and Drug Administration to implement a protocol and procedures for imported drugs, experts said.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D, N.D.), is expected to introduce a reimportation bill sometime in February and, it is rumored, might place a hold on the confirmation of Mike Leavitt as head of the Dept. of Health and Human Services to ensure that the measure gets a floor vote.

While Dorgan's office would not confirm that, a spokesman said holding up a confirmation is one tool the senator could use to ensure that the bill gets a chance, but there is no reason to think he would limit himself to just one method.

The AMA opposes personal drug importation but has said it would support reimportation by pharmacies and wholesalers if its safety concerns are met.