Drug Importation Front and Center in 2019
In the first two weeks of January, the prospects for drug importation to help alleviate high drug prices in the U.S. are looking good. Before summarizing recent developments, I’ll just note that millions of Americans who can’t afford medicines and want to save money continue to use personal drug importation, despite the federal prohibitions. This includes physically traveling across the border to buy from Canadian or Mexican pharmacies, through international air travel, and ordering from international online pharmacies.
Last week, Lucia Mueller blogged about an important survey by the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation in which 94% of respondents affirmed that cost is the #1 reason they rely on importation through international online pharmacies.
This week, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Americans with Medicare falling through the cracks on drugs dropped from formularies, particularly when they are prescribed off-label, facing high costs and looking internationally for relief. As reported, savings are even greater when Americans buy generic versions overseas, of drugs that are still under patent domestically.
There’s a lot of buzz in Congress, states, and the White House on the issue of drug importation right now. Hopefully, current laws will be amended this year to make importation expressly permitted instead of merely tolerated.
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