The Food and Drug Administration has approved Florida as the first state to import cheaper drugs from Canada. It’s an important policy change that could give Americans access to cheaper versions of medications that cost thousands of dollars.
While people in the United States are allowed to make direct purchases from Canada, the decision makes Florida the first state to be allowed to buy cheaper drugs in bulk from Canadian wholesalers.
In their appeal to the FDA, Florida officials claimed that essential prescription drugs in the state can cost nearly $400 per pill, placing a significant burden on patients who need life-saving drugs.
And the US has one of the highest prescription drug prices in the world, with prices 218 percent of those in the country’s northern neighbor.
For non-generic versions of brand-name drugs, these costs are 294 percent of Canadian prices, meaning that drugs in Canada represent only 46 and 34 percent of the cost of U.S. drugs, respectively.
Florida officials estimate that importing Canadian drugs could save the state up to $150 million in the first year.
FDA approval is Florida’s first step toward victory, but now the state must provide the FDA with details about what drugs it plans to import and how the state plans to do it.
Medicines to be imported at the start of the partnership include drugs used to treat HIV, AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis C and certain psychiatric illnesses.
An FDA official told the New York Times that Florida could buy drugs in bulk for use in US government clinics, prisons and Medicaid programs.
EXCLUSIVEUS drug shortages reach record highs and lawmakers warn it could mean “life or death for MILLIONS of patients”.
Shortages of life-saving drugs have reached record highs in the United States, putting millions of Americans at risk of serious relapse — and even death.
Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin all have laws allowing drug importation, with some seeking the same approval from the FDA
The states have not yet received a response from the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Although the decision is a victory, Florida can expect significant opposition from lobby groups and drug manufacturers.
One of the pharmaceutical industry’s largest lobbying groups, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which has filed a lawsuit challenging previous importation efforts, is expected to file another lawsuit to stop Florida from enacting its feeding plan.
In addition, some drug manufacturers have reached agreements with Canadian drug wholesalers that do not allow the export of their drugs.
The Canadian government has also already taken steps to block Florida’s efforts to import prescription drugs, which are already in short supply.
Health Canada spokeswoman Maryse Durette told the Times, “Canadian drug supplies are too low to meet demand from both American and Canadian consumers.”
“Mass imports will not be an effective solution to the problem of high drug prices in the US”
Experts say importing drugs from Canada, a country of nearly 40 million people, will do little to ease drug shortages and prices.
Florida’s population is nearly 22 million, while the United States has a population of 332 million.
FDA approval is the first step toward a win for Florida, but the state still faces more red tape.
Now it must provide the FDA with details on which drugs it plans to import and how the state plans to do so.
Source link
Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
