WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Angus King (I-ME), and Susan Collins (R-ME) sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encouraging the agency to support policies that will allow Americans to personally import certain prescription drugs from Canada. This letter follows the administration’s recent Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, which recognized that prescription drug prices can be lowered through allowing states and tribes to safely import less expensive drugs from Canada.
In February, the senators introduced the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act to permit personal importation of certain safe and effective prescription drugs from approved Canadian pharmacies. In the letter, the senators urged HHS to back their legislation that will create savings for consumers and bring greater competition into the pharmaceutical market.
“Last year, one in three Americans saw their out-of-pocket medication costs increase, and that has real consequences. Nearly 30 percent of adults report not taking their medicines as prescribed because of the cost,” the senators wrote.
They continued later in the letter: “Americans should be able to obtain affordable medications, and expanding access to safe and affordable drugs in Canada can make a difference by providing direct relief to the millions of Americans who are struggling to afford the increasing cost of prescription drugs.”
The full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Becerra:
The safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada can serve as a critical solution for reducing the amount Americans pay for their prescription drugs. That is why we encourage your support and consideration of policies that will allow Americans to personally import certain prescription drugs from Canada.
Americans, on average, pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world and are struggling to afford the medications they need. Last year, one in three Americans saw their out-of-pocket medication costs increase, and that has real consequences. Nearly 30 percent of adults report not taking their medicines as prescribed because of the cost.
The Administration’s recent Executive Order 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. We agree that importation should be part of the effort to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and that is why we have proposed bipartisan legislation—the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act—to permit personal importation of certain safe and effective prescription drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada. Americans should be able to obtain affordable medications, and expanding access to safe and affordable drugs in Canada can make a difference by providing direct relief to the millions of Americans who are struggling to afford the increasing cost of prescription drugs.
As the Administration considers options for lowering the cost of prescription drugs for patients, we urge your support for permanent solutions that will allow Americans to safely and personally import their medication.
Thank you for your continued support on this important issue.
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