Harper Angel files bill to allow prescription drug reimportation

through Kentucky pharmacies

February 8, 2005, FRANKFORT -- Senator Denise Harper Angel, D-Jefferson, on Monday filed legislation that would make it legal for Kentucky pharmacies and wholesalers to reimport American-made prescription drugs from Canada. The bill requires that cost savings be passed along to consumers.

"We have many citizens who each month must choose between prescriptions and food, or their medicine and heat," said Harper Angel, whose bill has the support of the Senate Democratic caucus. "I urge the Governor and my colleagues to recognize that we need to find effective ways to help, like allowing Kentuckians to take advantage of the lower prices in Canada."

The bill also allows Kentucky pharmacies, under federal guidelines, to import drugs manufactured in Canada, or sold to Canadian distributors by other foreign countries.

Harper Angel, a member of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, also filed a companion resolution urging Governor Ernie Fletcher to work at the federal level to change federal law to allow reimportation. Under federal law, only U.S. drug manufacturers can reimport their own drugs.

Although federal law would supercede Kentucky law in this area, Harper Angel said it's important that Kentucky be ready for changes at the federal level. "This is an emergency for many Kentuckians, who can't afford to take the medications they need," Harper Angel said. The bill includes a number of safeguards for consumers. It allows Kentucky pharmacies to reimport only specified drugs in manufacturer-sealed containers. The drugs must be "safely obtained from Canadian pharmacists or wholesalers" and shall primarily be brand-name drugs used for long-term or maintenance purposes.

In addition, Harper Angel's bill requires the state to monitor the medications for safety and effectiveness.

"Safety is an important goal, but it is a goal that is clearly within reach," said Harper Angel, who said she pledged to work to legalize drug reimportation in her campaign. "For those who oppose reimportation on the basis of safety, alone, I wonder how safe they think it is for people not to take their medications because they can't afford them."