BY MARK SHERMAN
ASSOCIATED
PRESS
September 9, 2004
WASHINGTON -- The Senate probably will not vote before this year's election on legalizing cheaper prescription drug imports from Canada, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Wednesday, despite broad bipartisan support for imports.
Some Democrats responded that they would try to force such a vote.
Frist, R-Tenn., an opponent of permitting medicines to be imported, said there is too much else to do in the few weeks left before lawmakers head home to campaign full time. "It looks doubtful, just given we have 23 days," he told reporters.
Frist said he remains concerned about the safety of drug imports, the issue most frequently cited by President George W. Bush, Republican congressional leaders and the pharmaceutical industry.
"In good conscience, I'm not going to hurt the American people by taking legislation that hasn't been carefully considered by this body," Frist said.
Supporters of legalized imports said they would try to find a way to force a vote.
"This has been debated over and over and over again. With the broad bipartisan consensus, we must act. And we intend to see the Senate take a position and have a vote," said Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota, the Senate Democratic leader.
Several bills pending in the Senate would permit imports from Canada, where brand-name medicines cost a third less. Legislation passed the House last year.
A Bush administration task force also is preparing a report on drug imports, but a spokesman said he is uncertain when it will be completed.
A growing number of cities and states are helping employees and retirees buy drugs from Canada.
Copyright 2004 Detroit Free Press Inc.