Rx Drug Importation Poses Immediate and Incalculable Risk to American Patients

In the last several years, the increasing popularity of importing prescription drugs for personal use has created a serious public health threat. Many have advocated policies to allow U.S. consumers to obtain prescription drugs from foreign countries where, they say, prices might be lower. Consumers might obtain foreign products by purchasing from on-line "pharmacies" or other sources; receiving products by mail or consignment carrier; or by personally bringing drugs into the U.S. As the FDA has stated on multiple occasions, all of these routes pose serious risks to patients. The risks are magnified when biological products are involved.

Furthermore, the importation issue is not just about the importation of drugs - it's about the importation of price controls. The U.S. leads the way in biotechnology innovation. The reason we are so successful, and the reason our patients have the best chance at the latest and best medicine, is that our national policies foster innovation. We do not have prescription price controls because such controls hinder and discourage innovation. Biotechnology innovation will deliver on its promise if the country delivers on policies that allow it to thrive.

BIO's Print Ad: Appeared in The Hill July 16, 2003 View PDF

Fact Sheet on Drug Importation
Rx Drug Importation Poses Immediate and Incalculable Risk to American Patients (Apr. 19, 2004)
Read the fact sheet

Letter from 53 Senators Opposed to Importation
53 Senators send letter opposing HR 2427, Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003 (July 24, 2003)
Read the letter (197 KB PDF)

BIO CEO Letter Opposing Importation
Letter from nearly 160 CEOs and biotech leaders opposing prescription drug importation (June 7, 2004)
Read the letter (450 KB PDF)

BIO Testimony Against Importation
Before The Senate Judiciary Committee (July 14, 2004)
Read the testimony

Before The Senate Committee On Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (May 20, 2004)
Read the testimony

BIO Testimony to the HHS Importation Task Force (Apr. 14, 2004)
Read the testimony

BIO Comments
to the HHS Task Force regarding Drug Importation (June 1, 2004)
Read the Comments (150 KB PDF)

Partnership for Safe Medicines
More information on the dangers of imported drugs at the Partnership for Safe Medicines Website.
Visit their Web site.

Drug Importation Archive
Older materials on this subject are available in our archive.
Browse the Archive