News Releases for May 2004
May 5, 2004
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Hoeven Presses Task Force To Legalize Canadian Drug Imports
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today told a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Task Force on Drug Importation that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to approve the importation of affordable drugs from Canada for all citizens. Hoeven and other governors were asked to testify by the Department of Health and Human Services.
“We need action on the federal level, and we need it now,” Hoeven said. “Studying the issue of drug importation is necessary, but we can’t lose sight of the urgency of our goal here, which is to provide affordable prescription drugs to all of our citizens in a timely fashion. We can’t in good conscience allow American citizens to go without essential medications available across the border at prices the average citizen can afford.”
Hoeven said the two countries are in agreement on the majority of the drugs involved. Outstanding issues on certain drugs can be reconciled later, but citizens should not be made to wait any longer. In addition, by legalizing importation at the federal level, U.S. pharmacists would be able to continue to coordinate patient care, he said.
“Current FDA policies and practices allow personal importation of drugs from Canada, but they do not allow the involvement of our local pharmacists,” Hoeven said. “Many North Dakotans, and hundreds of thousands of Americans, buy drugs by mail-order or over the Internet, but are prohibited from including their pharmacist in their treatment discussion. This should be changed.”
Along with Hoeven, Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Gov. James Douglas of Vermont presented testimony.
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