Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Kentucky House Drug Importation Bill
A bill that could lead to the importation of lower-cost prescription drugs from foreign countries for resale in Kentucky passed the House yesterday by a vote of 95-0.
Under House Bill 7, sponsored by Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, the governor and the secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services would ask the federal Food and Drug Administration to report to them and state lawmakers on whether drug importation poses no additional risk for consumers and would lower the cost of prescription drugs. The Cabinet would be prohibited from creating a state drug importation program unless the FDA certifies the drugs' safety and low-cost advantage.
Rep. Scott Brinkman, R-Louisville, said the FDA provisions will ensure that any drugs that are imported are safe and low-cost.
"By voting for this bill, we are saying we are interested in lower drug costs, but we are also interested in preserving safety," said Brinkman.
HB 7 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
Under House Bill 7, sponsored by Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, the governor and the secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services would ask the federal Food and Drug Administration to report to them and state lawmakers on whether drug importation poses no additional risk for consumers and would lower the cost of prescription drugs. The Cabinet would be prohibited from creating a state drug importation program unless the FDA certifies the drugs' safety and low-cost advantage.
Rep. Scott Brinkman, R-Louisville, said the FDA provisions will ensure that any drugs that are imported are safe and low-cost.
"By voting for this bill, we are saying we are interested in lower drug costs, but we are also interested in preserving safety," said Brinkman.
HB 7 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 11:40 AM 
