Senators have reintroduced their bipartisan legislation that would allow individuals to safely import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, creating major savings for consumers and bringing greater competition into the pharmaceutical market

In 2013, average prescription drug prices were twice as expensive in the United States as they were in Canada, with high costs leading some Americans to skip doses or forgo filling important prescriptions altogether 

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John McCain (R-AZ) today continued their fight to reduce prescription drug costs for American families. The senators reintroduced their bipartisan drug importation legislation, the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, that would allow individuals to safely import prescription drugs from Canada, creating major savings for consumers and bringing greater competition into the pharmaceutical market. In 2013, average prescription drug prices were twice as expensive in the United States as they were in Canada, with high costs leading some Americans to skip doses or forgo filling important prescriptions altogether.

“Minnesotans know that, just on the other side of the border, Canadians often pay much less for the exact same prescription drugs,” Klobuchar said. “These cheaper alternatives come with the same safety standards and are the same dosages sold in the United States, but current law prevents Americans from importing them and benefitting from the savings. That just doesn’t make sense. This bipartisan bill would allow for the safe import of these drugs from Canada, let competition in from over the border, and bring down costs for American families.”

“Like many other Americans, far too many Arizonans have been burdened by the rising cost of prescription medication,” said Senator John McCain. “No American should have to worry about having to fill a prescription because they can’t afford to pay for it. This legislation would allow individuals to safely import prescription drugs into the United States from our neighbors to the north, spur much-needed competition in the pharmaceutical market, and save individual Americans up to hundreds of dollars a year.”

The Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act would allow individuals to safely import into the United States a personal supply of prescription drugs. Under the legislation, imported prescription drugs would have to be purchased from an approved Canadian pharmacy and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Drugs imported under this bill would be the same dosage, form, and potency as drugs in the U.S., but at a significant savings to U.S. consumers. The U.S. spent a total of more than $271 billion on prescription drugs in 2013 alone, and we spend an average of almost $1,000 per person per year on pharmaceuticals – roughly 40 percent more than the next highest country.

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