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Government Should Work to Ensure Safe Importation of Prescription Drugs
Alexandria, VA (March 12, 2004) -- "Seniors and taxpayers should be demanding to know why Congress is standing in the way of importing more affordable drugs," says a national seniors organization. "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is telling us that we can't import drugs from Canada because it's unsafe," says George Smith, Chairman of TREA Senior Citizens League. "Yet a report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) found that medications manufactured and distributed there meet or exceed FDA quality standards," Smith points out. (1) According to the report, prepared at the request of Representative Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Canada and the U.S. regulate drugs in virtually identical ways. The report found that Canada's pharmaceutical controls mimic those in the United States, and that Canada also tracks drugs through each distribution step. (2) "What is more dangerous? For a senior to take a very miniscule risk of importing a drug from Canada, or to take the much bigger risk of going without medication altogether because he or she can't afford it?" Smith asks. "TSCL calls upon Congress to approve legislation that will allow seniors and U.S. drug consumers to safely import prescription drugs. Taxpayers and seniors deserve an explanation as to why our FDA isn't doing more, like the state of Minnesota is doing, to set up safe means of importation for the nation," Smith declares. "We urge seniors to contact your Members of Congress and ask them to support legislation that would allow the safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada." (1) "The FDA Huffs, But Canadian Drugs are OK," Paul Doering, Newsday, February 20, 2004. March 2004 | ||||||||
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