U.S. Senate Blocks Measure To Import Canadian Drugs
On Thursday, the Senate voted 45-55 to reject a provision that would have allowed U.S. residents to import certain prescription drugs from Canada. Under the measure, U.S. residents could order FDA-approved prescription drugs from Canada by mail or Internet, or could import the medications to the U.S. in person. The measure would not have applied to biologics or controlled substances. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) -- who proposed the provision as an amendment to a Senate appropriations bill (HR 2112) --Â said it would have given individuals a less costly option to purchase prescription drugs.
- "Move To Allow Buying of Canadian Drugs Rejected" (Lee, Modern Healthcare, 10/20).
- "Senate Votes To Keep Canadian Prescription Drugs Out of U.S." (Ryan, "Floor Action Blog," The Hill, 10/20).
- "Vitter: Dems Who Opposed Drug Import Measure Influenced by 'Big Pharma'" (Pecquet, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 10/20).