Healthy Skepticism Library item: 243

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Hallam , K .
Senators Grassley, Kennedy Are Crafting Drug Import Measure
Bloomberg News 2004 Mar 4

Full text:

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley said he is crafting legislation with Senator Edward Kennedy to allow Americans to buy medicines from Canada, where the government controls prices.

Grassley, an Iowa Republican, said he hopes to introduce the bill soon with Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat. The measure won’t include any changes to the more than $395 billion law overhauling Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program for the elderly and disabled, Grassley said.

Pfizer Inc., Eli Lilly & Co. and other drugmakers oppose imports, saying they pose safety risks. Senate Republican leaders are reluctant to schedule a vote on a drug import measure, Grassley said. He may try to attach the proposal to another bill as an amendment, he said.

``The U.S. has to think about (drug imports) as part of a free-trade policy,’‘ Grassley ``We’ll have to find a vehicle, and a vehicle’s not been found,’‘ Grassley said.