Four Senators Call for Importing Drugs from Canada

Federal Health Care Reform, Transparency, Quality and Cost Containment

A bipartisan group of senators has called on the Biden administration to “support and [consider] policies that will allow Americans to personally import certain prescription drugs from Canada," which could reduce drug prices for employers.

Safe way to reduce prices?  The letter notes “the safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada can serve as a critical solution for reducing the amount Americans pay for their prescription drugs.”

President Biden's EO 14036 on Promoting Competition in the American Economy recognized that prescription drug prices can be lowered through the importation of safe and cheaper drugs from Canada.

The Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act (S. 259) would permit the personal importation of certain safe and effective prescription drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada.

Outlook:  It is unclear if the Biden administration will take regulatory action to enable drug importation.  It is possible that S. 259 is included in the next budget reconciliation bill Congress will take up this fall, especially if it is seen as reducing prescription drug costs.