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AARP joins effort for prescription
drug importation
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[SEPT. 30, 2004]
CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod
Blagojevich voiced his support Monday for AARP rallies being held on
Michigan's three bridges to Canada. The rallies -- taking place in
Detroit, Port Huron and Sault Ste. Marie -- called on federal
lawmakers to recognize and provide safeguards for the importation of
low cost prescription drugs.
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"People are pulling together across the
country to win access to affordable prescription drugs," the
governor said. "We're doing what we can at the state level, but
real, long-term change will require action at the federal level. The
United States Senate has an opportunity to make a huge difference in
millions of people's lives. We hope Senator Frist will not pass up
this chance."
The
rallies were sponsored by the
American Association of Retired People and many AARP members
attended. Almost 80 percent of AARP members are in favor of the
importation of prescription drugs. A main focus of the rallies was
for the passage of the Dorgan-Snowe bill, a Senate bill legalizing
and providing safeguards for imported prescription medication.
Michigan's two senators, Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, are both
co-sponsors of the Dorgan-Snowe bill. Stabenow attended the Detroit
rally.
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this article]
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In a Sept. 10 letter, Gov. Blagojevich,
along with Govs. Jim Doyle, D-Wis., and Craig Benson, R-N.H., called
on Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to allow the bipartisan Dorgan-Snowe
bill to reach the Senate floor. A similar bill passed the House
several times.
In late
August, Gov. Blagojevich announced that Illinois will establish a
program enabling its residents to order their prescription drugs
from state-inspected pharmacies and wholesalers in Canada, Ireland
and the United Kingdom. Illinois' program will be limited to
prescription refills that can be filled only after a network
physician in Canada or the United Kingdom has approved and rewritten
the American prescription. Narcotics and perishable drugs will not
included in the program. The plan will be launched in the coming
weeks.
[News release from the
governor's office] |
