Rx Import Legislation: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back – And Odd Dance Partners

The strange politics of prescription drug importation legislation in the US are on display again, this time in the context of the FDA user fee reauthorization bill. Including the topic in the bill is a ‘big deal’ – but probably makes imports less likely.

Canada drug map
The political landscape around Rx importation is changing. • Source: Nielsen Hobbs; the Pink Sheet | Shutterstock images

A proposed codification of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s regulatory approach to allow wholesale prescription drug importation programs from Canada is the latest twist in the seemingly endless political dance over using parallel trade to address drug prices in the U.S.

The Senate Health Committee’s latest iteration of the user fee omnibus (dubbed the FDA Safety & Landmark Amendments Act or...

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