Tuesday, February 22, 2005

State Watch

Washington State House Approves Prescription Drug Reimportation Legislation

      The Washington state House on Wednesday voted 56-42 to approve a bill that would encourage state employees to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies, the AP/Spokane Spokesman Review reports (Ammons, Spokane Spokesman-Review, 2/17). The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Geoff Simpson (D), would offer financial incentives, such as exempted or discounted copayments -- to about 143,000 state employees, dependents and retirees enrolled in the Uniform Medical Plan who purchase prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies. In addition, the bill would provide legislative approval for a state Web site established last year that helps residents purchase prescription drugs from online Canadian pharmacies, provided that FDA approves the practice. Simpson said that the state could save $10 million annually under the bill. Simpson said, "I don't know how many millions and millions of dollars we have allowed pharmaceutical companies to gouge citizens, but I think it's time to put an end to it." The legislation moves to the state Senate for consideration.

Additional Legislation
Two other bills that would authorize the state to inspect and license Canadian pharmacies and wholesalers remain under consideration in the state House and Senate. One bill would require an FDA waiver, and the other bill would require cooperation from Canadian health officials, the Seattle Times reports. Provisions in the bills also could make the state liable in the event that residents experience injuries as a result of reimported prescription drugs. State Rep. Shay Schual-Berke (D), who sponsored one of the bills, said, "It is very definitely about sending a message, about standing up for Washingtonians. If and when the Bush administration relents and allows a waiver, we are set to go." However, William Hubbard, FDA associate commissioner for policy and planning, said, "We don't have any waiver authority" to approve reimportation. He added, "Drugs have to be cleared before they come into the country. The FDA was created 100 years ago for that reason" (Perry, Seattle Times, 2/17).