FDA Approves Florida Drug Importation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Florida to import prescription drugs from Canada via bulk purchasing. This would mean Florida residents would have access to Canadian wholesale prices, which are far lower than in the United States. Brand drug makers immediately attacked the waiver as reckless and claimed it could endanger health. Nonsense. Canada is a developed country with a great safety record. The waiver also has strict quality control measures in it. This is yet another stunt by Big Pharma to maintain its high prices in the United States. It likely will sue to stop it. Canada, too, could disrupt the plan if it results in shortages there. Although the targeted drugs right now look like they are in reasonable supply, look out for a “manufactured” crisis to emerge.
This is a feather in the cap of presidential candidate and Fl. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been pressing the Biden administration for the waiver. Biden will surely tout this during his run. Donald Trump too, as he passed the original rules to allow states to do this. Florida sued the federal government when its application stalled.
Florida says residents could save $150 million annually, but Florida will start very slowly, with a few classes of drugs and government programs now. Other states have pending applications and others could submit as well. So, broad relief will take time and the program would have to grow in Florida and other states. Many currently import drugs individually through Canadian pharmacies and it is technically illegal. But with Medicare drug price negotiations, this is yet another way to solve a huge affordability crisis in America over time.
Other articles here:
https://insidehealthpolicy.com/daily-news/florida-first-state-receive-fda-nod-rx-drug-importation
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4390990-florida-drugs-canada-approval/
https://www.statnews.com/2024/01/05/ron-desantis-import-drugs-canada-biden-trump/
#drugpricing #drugimportation #fl #brandrugmakers
