Washington, DC  -  U.S. Representatives Gil Gutknecht (R-MN), Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Dan Burton (R-IN) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded the U.S. Senate upon introduction of a prescription drug market access bill. 

 

The Senate bill, introduced by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), John McCain (R-AZ), Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Trent Lott (R-MS), allows American consumers access to FDA-approved prescription drugs from FDA-approved facilities in Canada. One year following enactment, the measure expands access to other countries, including members of the European Union.

 

“First, I congratulate the Senators for this serious attempt to move the ball forward,” said Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN). “Americans deserve access to world class drugs at world-market prices. In democracies, the will of the people ultimately prevails.”

 

“Poll after poll has shown that over two-thirds of Americans support importation as a solution to the high drug prices punishing them,” said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL). “Importation means more competition, more choices, more taxpayers saving money, and more consumers who can afford their drugs. In more than half the states, governors, legislators and mayors are taking steps to allow state residents to purchase drugs from other industrialized countries. That fact, coupled with the promise by Senate Majority Leader Frist to bring up the issue, shows importation is inevitable.”

"For this idea to gain such support in the Senate is a major victory. For years, momentum has been growing for some kind of certified, safe policy," Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) said. "Americans understand this issue extremely well because they know we are paying the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, despite the fact that we are the world's best customers and we heavily subsidize the industry. The current system is unfair and inefficient. We desperately need to address the dangers of prohibitively high prices, which leave many Americans without the medicines they need."

Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stated, “The American people are sick and tired of paying the highest prescription drug prices in the world while the pharmaceutical industry year after year tops the list of profitable industries. The House has passed reimportation legislation which would substantially lower the cost of medicine in this country and allow Americans to pay the same prices as consumers throughout the world. I am delighted that the U.S. Senate, in a strong bi-partisan way, is now moving forward in the same direction.”

“Prescription drug reimportation gets at the heart of the biggest issue for Americans – the soaring costs of prescription drugs,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). “The Rx Market Access bill would help Americans obtain safe, FDA-approved prescription drugs at a fraction of the price they are paying now – and would help bring down the long-term cost of these drugs. There is no reason for the Administration and the pharmaceutical companies to continue to oppose the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. Seniors have been traveling across the Canadian border to purchase prescription drugs because they know they are both safe and they cost up to 10 times less abroad than they do in the United States. I fully support Sens. McCain, Snowe, Kennedy and Daschle’s legislation that would relieve the burden of these costs for seniors.”

Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) said, “I am pleased that my colleagues in the Senate have come around and seen the value of allowing FDA regulated prescription drug importation. This is a good bill that addresses a majority of the concerns opponents of importation have raised. First and foremost is protecting the health and well being of our citizens. This legislation provides the necessary safety precautions to help ensure Americans citizens are getting a quality product at a reasonable price.”

 

Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) added, "Prohibiting reimportation is a mistake. Preventing seniors from gaining the same access to affordable prescription drug medication enjoyed by seniors throughout the world is a mistake. This legislation is a step in the right direction to fixing the Bush Medicare mistakes.”