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For far too long Americans have paid the highest prices in the world
for prescription drugs. Far too many are faced with the
impossible decision of whether to buy food or medications.
Senator Leahy has been working with other
senators to
improve access to affordable prescription drugs for seniors by
legalizing the importation of medicine from Canada. He is a cosponsor of S.334, a bill that
would create a safe and legal system allowing Americans to import
prescription drugs from certified Canadian pharmacies.
In late 2003 Congress added a prescription
drug benefit to Medicare that began this January. Senator
Leahy voted against the version proposed by the Administration because he believed
that, among other problems, it does far more for the drug companies than our nation's
seniors.
The implementation of the drug benefit has
been mismanaged and confusing. Seniors in Vermont and
across the country have been overcharged for and, in some cases,
denied their prescription drugs. To address these problems
Senator Leahy is supporting legislation that would increase
protections for seniors and provide support for beneficiaries and
pharmacists who have been negatively impacted by the problematic
program.
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The Battle Over the
Importation of Prescription Drugs
For several years, millions of Americans
have looked outside our borders for relief from the high prices of
prescription drugs. Although current Federal law prohibits the importation
of prescription drugs from outside of the U.S., Americans have been able to import a small amount of medication for their
personal use. But recently, the Food and Drug Administration has
begun escalating its enforcement policy
against Americans who are trying to buy these affordable prescription
drugs. Senator Leahy was joined by five other senators in
writing to the head of the Food and
Drug Administration, asking him to clarify the Administration's
policy on this issue. On July 14, 2004, Senator Leahy co-chaired
a hearing in the Judiciary Committee to examine the implications of
drug importation. Congressman Bernie Sanders and CEO and
Executive Director of United Health Alliance of Bennington, Dr.
Elizabeth Wennar, both testified that the importation of prescription
drugs will help millions of Americans be able to afford life-saving
medicine.
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Statements and Releases About Prescription Drugs
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Release and
Statement - Leahy And Sanders Call For Greater Access To Reimported
Prescription Drugs - July 14, 2004
Statement - Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Medicare Prescription Drug Bill Conference
Report - November 25, 2003
Comment
- Of Senator Patrick Leahy On His Decision To Oppose The Compromise
Prescription Drug Bill - November 21, 2003
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Links to Prescription Drug Information
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