New Survey: 90% Favor Organization's Fight for Drug Reimportation

Send this article to a friend.

Printer friendly version.

New Survey: 90% Favor Organization's Fight for Drug Reimportation

Alexandria, VA (August 25, 2004) - The battle for reimportation of less costly drugs from Canada is like "David and Goliath." With 675 hired lobbyists, the drug industry has more than one lobbyist for every member of Congress.[1] So what can a team of senior volunteers and a modest staff of professionals accomplish against "Goliath Rx?"

A new survey of members and supporters of a nationwide non-partisan seniors' advocacy organization found that 90% of those responding support TREA Senior Citizens League's (TSCL's) fight for more affordable prescription drugs from Canada. The Senior Citizens League has supported several drug reimportation efforts over the years, including endorsing and vigorously lobbying for legislation sponsored by Representative Gil Gutknecht that passed the House by a surprisingly wide margin in July of 2003.

"Many people didn't expect the bill to pass the House of Representatives when it did last July," says George Smith, Chairman of TSCL. "But in large part, due to public pressure, the bill passed overwhelmingly, despite intense efforts from the pharmaceutical industry to fight it," he adds. "We keep seniors informed with our newsletters, web site, and regular legislative alerts. It's the grass roots army that will slay Goliath Rx, Smith declares.

According to the "2004 Social Security & Medicare Advisor Senior Survey," respondents also said they are concerned that new costs under recent Medicare drug legislation may outweigh the benefits that they will receive[2]. The survey, based on the responses of 17,780 supporters and members of TSCL, confirms widespread disappointment with the new drug legislation and support for the organization to press for the reimportation of less costly drugs from nations like Canada whose government health care systems negotiate lower drug prices for their citizens.

"The disparity of drug costs in the United States, Canada, and Europe is striking," says George Smith, Chairman of TSCL. "In Canada, someone can purchase Zocor for $45.49; here in the U.S, the same prescription is $123.43, " he points out. "One of our members, 'Lillian F.'; told us, 'I don't get enough Social Security for my medications and had to quit taking a couple of them.' No wonder seniors, like Lillian, aren't able to afford the medicine they need," Smith observes.

The League recently endorsed the bi-partisan Senate bill, S. 2328, The Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act," introduced by Senators Byron Dorgan (ND) and Olympia Snowe (ME). "TSCL believes that language in the Dorgan-Snowe bill to help prevent drug companies from thwarting importation, through such means as restricting supply or slight changes in the drug's make-up, will be effective in leading to a reduction in costs of prescriptions for seniors and all Americans," Smith explains. "The Dorgan-Snowe bill also provides measures to ensure the safety of U.S. drug consumers," Smith notes.

The Senior Citizens League is urging seniors and consumers to contact their Senators. "We need voters and seniors to help," Smith states. "A call, letter, fax or e-mail could sway a key Senator, making the difference between S.2328 passing or dying this year, he adds." We need to let our Senators know that millions of their constituents support S.2328, the "Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act."

TSCL is a national group of politically active seniors concerned about the protection of their earned Social Security, Medicare, military, and other retirement benefits. TSCL members participate in a number of grassroots lobbying and public education campaigns designed to ensure governmental bodies, including the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, live up to their commitments. For more free information on our organization, please contact TREA Senior Citizens League, Department S607N, 909 N. Washington St., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314, or visit our website at: www.tscl.org.

[1] "Drug Industry Sees Increase In Lobbying," The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2003 [2] 2004 Social Security & Medicare Advisor Senior Survey, TSCL 2004.

Distributed by The Senior Exchange, Inc.
Serving The Mature American With Timely, Low-Cost, Self-Help Information

August 2004