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"The FDA can ignore our letters. They
can ignore our calls. But they can't ignore the people forever. And
so today, I'm launching an electronic petition drive so that the
people can be heard on this issue," said Blagojevich.
"If you think that you should be able
to reduce your prescription drug costs, let the FDA know. Let the
FDA know they can't keep hiding behind the excuse of safety. Let the
FDA know you want your prescription drug costs reduced. Log on to
our website at
www.affordabledrugs.il.gov, sign our electronic petition, and
let your voice be heard."
The online petition is part of a new
website launched by the state with information about the discrepancy
between American and Canadian drug prices, the impact of high prices
on consumers -- especially the elderly, activity in Congress on the
issue, and recent editorials from around the nation in support of
drug importation efforts. The site contains a price comparison chart
where viewers can assess their potential savings if they were able
to buy their prescription medications at Canadian rates.
In addition to the online effort, the
governor said petitions will be available in hard-copy form at
senior citizen facilities throughout the state. Petitions can also
be requested by calling toll-free (866) 296-6322.
In September, the governor asked the
state's two special advocates on prescription drugs to study and
report to him on the cost savings and feasibility of reimbursing
state employees and retirees -- and potentially enrollees in the
state's new senior citizen discount buying club -- for drugs they
purchase in Canada, where prices are significantly lower. Illinois
currently spends $1.8 billion a year on prescription drugs for all
its health care programs combined; $340 million of that is just for
state employees and retirees.
Last week the special advocates led a
delegation of the administration's top policy, medical and legal
experts on a fact-finding trip to Canada. The group met with
executives from CanaRx, the company that administers the drug import
program for the city of Springfield, Mass., as well as pharmacists
and executives from retail and online pharmacies and representatives
from the Canadian government. The delegation will use the
information it gathered in the report it is preparing for
Blagojevich on the benefits and challenges of importing drugs.
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this article]
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While he awaits the results of the
special advocates' study, Gov. Blagojevich has been lobbying the FDA
and Congress to change current rules that prohibit state and local
governments, pharmacies and consumers from buying prescription drugs
from Canada. Blagojevich pointed out the contradictory messages the
FDA sends out on the safety of Canadian drugs, claiming imported
medications do not meet U.S. standards and therefore will not be
allowed to enter the American market, while at the same time looking
away as more than a million individuals in the U.S. cross the border
or send away to purchase their prescription drugs for significantly
less from Canada.
"The FDA, to date, has refused to
permit state and local governments to import prescription drugs from
Canada. They say we can't do this because it may not be safe. While
they use that reason time after time, the FDA has yet to explain why
they permit private health plans to reimburse their members for
purchasing prescription drugs from Canada," the governor said.
"Either it's safe or it's not safe. If
it's safe, let the people benefit. If it's safe, stop doing the
dirty work for the drug manufacturers, and start giving people the
chance to save some money. If it's not completely safe just yet,
instead of just throwing up your hands and refusing to deal with the
issue, let's work on finding ways to make it safe," Blagojevich
urged.
Blagojevich will deliver the petitions
gathered from the website and partners around the state to the FDA
to demonstrate the wide support for allowing states to find new
solutions to the worsening crisis from high drug prices.
"If we make our voice heard, if we tell
the FDA that we're not going to just let them ignore the needs of
tens of millions of Americans, if we demand that they stop
protecting the interests of the big drug companies, then maybe
they'll start working for the interests they're supposed to serve:
the people," the governor added.
The special
advocates' report will be submitted before the end of October.
[Illinois
Government News Network
news release] |
