Post by unlawflcombatnt on May 10, 2007 15:38:32 GMT -6
On Monday, May 7, 2007, the Senate voted to block drug re-importation by a 49-40 vote. The proposed re-importation bill, under the influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry, was amended to include a clause requiring any re-importation to be certified by the Secretary of Health. The addition of this amendment essentially nullifies any benefit in the bill, as the Bush-appointed Secretary of Health will work exclusively to protect the Pharmaceutical industry profits, at the expense of American consumers. Below are excerpts from the article, written by Robert Pear, titled Senate Vote Upholds Drug Import Limits
"WASHINGTON, May 7 - The Senate voted on Monday to preserve current restrictions on the importing of lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada and other countries, fearing that such imports could pose risks to consumers, even with new safeguards.
By a vote of 49 to 40, the Senate approved a measure saying that imports will not be allowed unless the secretary of health and human services first certifies that they "pose no additional risk to the public's health and safety," and that they will significantly reduce costs to consumers.
Consumer advocates have long favored such imports as a way to make medicines more affordable. But health officials in the Clinton and Bush administrations have blocked such efforts, saying they cannot guarantee the safety of imported medicines.
Senators Byron L. Dorgan, Democrat of North Dakota, and Olympia J. Snowe, Republican of Maine, were the chief sponsors of the original proposal, which would allow imports.
"American consumers are paying the highest prices in the world for brand-name prescription drugs," Mr. Dorgan said. "We are trying to change that."
Mr. Dorgan's proposal would have allowed consumers, pharmacists, drug wholesalers and distributors to import prescription drugs from Canada, Japan, Australia and European countries found to have regulatory requirements comparable to those in the United States....
In an interview, Mr. Dorgan said that amendment "was designed to kill importation" and would have that effect....
Both parties split over Mr. Cochran's amendment to require a safety certification before allowing large-scale drug imports. Fifteen Democrats voted for it, and 28 opposed it. Thirty-three Republicans supported it, while 11 voted nay. The two independent senators also split....
Mr. Dorgan said the vote showed "the clout that the drug industry has here in Congress."
Congress has repeatedly tried to allow drug imports. This year, Mr. Dorgan added several safeguards intended to reduce the risks of imports.
For example, under his proposal, the drug agency could inspect warehouses and other property of foreign exporters and domestic importers. Moreover, federal officials would have to verify the "chain of custody" of imported drugs...."
Thus, despite the inclusion of every known safety measure in Dorgan's bill, the Senate still refused to pass it without requiring "certification" by a Bush-appointed plutocrat, and shill for the Pharmaceutical industry (the Secretary of Health).
Drugs must "pose no additional risk...." to Pharmaceutical profits .
The only "safety" concern is the "safety" of Pharmaceutical company profits.
"WASHINGTON, May 7 - The Senate voted on Monday to preserve current restrictions on the importing of lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada and other countries, fearing that such imports could pose risks to consumers, even with new safeguards.
By a vote of 49 to 40, the Senate approved a measure saying that imports will not be allowed unless the secretary of health and human services first certifies that they "pose no additional risk to the public's health and safety," and that they will significantly reduce costs to consumers.
Consumer advocates have long favored such imports as a way to make medicines more affordable. But health officials in the Clinton and Bush administrations have blocked such efforts, saying they cannot guarantee the safety of imported medicines.
Senators Byron L. Dorgan, Democrat of North Dakota, and Olympia J. Snowe, Republican of Maine, were the chief sponsors of the original proposal, which would allow imports.
"American consumers are paying the highest prices in the world for brand-name prescription drugs," Mr. Dorgan said. "We are trying to change that."
Mr. Dorgan's proposal would have allowed consumers, pharmacists, drug wholesalers and distributors to import prescription drugs from Canada, Japan, Australia and European countries found to have regulatory requirements comparable to those in the United States....
In an interview, Mr. Dorgan said that amendment "was designed to kill importation" and would have that effect....
Both parties split over Mr. Cochran's amendment to require a safety certification before allowing large-scale drug imports. Fifteen Democrats voted for it, and 28 opposed it. Thirty-three Republicans supported it, while 11 voted nay. The two independent senators also split....
Mr. Dorgan said the vote showed "the clout that the drug industry has here in Congress."
Congress has repeatedly tried to allow drug imports. This year, Mr. Dorgan added several safeguards intended to reduce the risks of imports.
For example, under his proposal, the drug agency could inspect warehouses and other property of foreign exporters and domestic importers. Moreover, federal officials would have to verify the "chain of custody" of imported drugs...."
Thus, despite the inclusion of every known safety measure in Dorgan's bill, the Senate still refused to pass it without requiring "certification" by a Bush-appointed plutocrat, and shill for the Pharmaceutical industry (the Secretary of Health).
Drugs must "pose no additional risk...." to Pharmaceutical profits .
The only "safety" concern is the "safety" of Pharmaceutical company profits.