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Blagojevich was
joined by U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Chicago, who has been the
driving force behind legislation in Washington, D.C., that would
permit reimportation of drugs from Canada.
"If the federal
government is not able to correct serious drug price disparities
between the U.S. and rest of the world, then it should give states
the flexibility to pursue better prices on their own," said
Blagojevich at a press conference in Chicago. "However, the FDA to
date has refused to permit state and local governments to import
prescription drugs from Canada. That decision seems misguided,
especially since the FDA permits private health plans like the AARP
to reimburse participants for doing the very same thing."
Blagojevich made his
appeal to the FDA in a letter addressed to Commissioner Mark
McClellan, writing: "I know you have expressed concerns about the
idea of state and local governments importing prescription drugs
from Canada, especially in the case of the city of Springfield,
Mass. However, the FDA does permit private health plans like the
AARP to reimburse participants who purchase prescription drugs from
Canada.
"If the FDA believes
that prescription drugs produced in Canada are safe for seniors
covered by the AARP health plans, why would those same prescription
drugs be unsafe for the people of Illinois? Why can't the people of
Illinois -- and people in every state -- benefit from them?
"I respectfully
request that you reconsider the FDA's policy and permit state and
local governments to import brand-name, FDA-approved prescription
drugs produced and imported in full compliance with FDA regulations.
Considering the fact that the cost of prescription drugs has become
one of the most severe problems facing almost every senior, every
business and every taxpayer, exploring all of our options is the
least we can do."
[to top of second column in
this article] |
In addition,
Blagojevich sent letters to every governor in the country asking
them to join him in pressing the FDA to change its position on
Canadian drug reimportations.
"The high cost of
prescription drugs is not a partisan issue. It is a problem in every
state. It is an issue that affects every governor and every public
official. In fact, two weeks ago, legislation in the Congress that
would make purchases from Canada permissible passed with
overwhelming bipartisan support, with 155 Democrats and 88
Republicans voting in favor of the bill," Blagojevich pointed out.
"To date, the FDA has
chosen not to permit state or local governments to import
prescription drugs from Canada," Blagojevich wrote. "This is an
issue that needs bipartisan support from governors in order for us
to at least have the option of exploring the issue and the ability
to potentially pass the savings on to the people of our states."
"People from around
the world come to America for medical care, yet Americans are forced
to go across the border for affordable medications. That's wrong,"
said Emanuel.
Friday's action
builds on the governor's
announcement early in the week that he was instructing the
state's special drug advocates to review and report to him on the
feasibility and cost savings that could be realized if Illinois
reimbursed its employees and retirees for drugs they purchase from
Canada. Illinois spent $340 million last year on prescription drugs
for its 230,000 employees and retirees and spent a total of $1.8
billion on prescription drugs for all the state's health programs
combined.
Next week Gov. Blagojevich will travel to
Washington, D.C., to lobby for legislation that would allow
importation of prescription drugs from Canada and to meet with FDA
officials.
[Illinois
Government News Network
news release] |
