A public health measure supported by both the Biden and Trump administrations appears poised to allow for the importation of lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada to Florida. This would bring an end to the longstanding ban on importing certain pharmaceuticals to the US.
The FDA has given the state permission to implement a program that aims to reduce the cost of medication for American consumers without compromising their well-being.
Pharmaceutical corporations in the United States expressed reservations about the program due to safety concerns. The initiative was initially approved by Congress at the beginning of the 21st century, but progress halted and it was later revived during the presidency of Donald Trump.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially stated on Thursday that Florida will be the initial state permitted to directly import medications from Canadian producers. This is considered a win for Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, who filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration in 2022 due to their delayed approval process.
DeSantis stated that Florida has been prepared for almost two years to provide affordable prescription drugs to those in need. He also mentioned that his lawsuit estimates a savings of $150 million for consumers in the first year after approval.
Before a two-year license can be granted and the initial drugs can enter the country, there are multiple steps that need to be completed. Florida is required to provide the FDA with specific information about the drugs they plan to import and confirm their legitimacy. Additionally, all Canadian pharmaceuticals must have FDA-approved labels attached before being imported.
In the United States, pharmaceutical companies are anticipated to take legal action in an attempt to prevent the approval, while Canadian health authorities have also implemented measures to protect against potential shortages. When Trump announced the reinstatement of the drug import program in 2020, Canadian legislators took action to prevent the export of drugs if it would result in a scarcity within their own country.
According to Health Canada spokesperson Maryse Durette, the drug supply in Canada is not sufficient to meet the needs of both Canadian and American consumers. This statement was made in an email to the New York Times.
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The New York Times reported that several other states, such as Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin, are either seeking or planning to seek FDA approval under the program.
Biden has prioritized lowering drug costs for American consumers. Additionally, his administration has been working to negotiate the prices of some necessary medications with pharmaceutical companies in the US. In August, they announced the first 10 drugs that may see price reductions.
Source: theguardian.com
