Two Senate bills, the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2004 (S.2328) and the Safe IMPORT Act of 2004 (S.2493), are likely to meet head-to-head in conference committee. While neither may make it out alive in this session of Congress, the issue of re-importation, however, is not likely to go away.
This article offers a useful comparison of the provisions of these bills and illustrates where the lines on the policy debate are being drawn.
Topic headings:
- The Senate Contenders
- Comparing Provisions
- Pharma's Position
- Table: Drug Importation Bills in Congress
- Chart: Pharmaceutical Expenditures as Percent of Total health Expenditure (Canada v.s US)