Paul, Colleagues Support Legislation to Lower Drug
Prices
Washington, D.C. - Representative Ron Paul and several of his colleagues in
Congress issued a joint letter to the Agriculture Appropriations conference
committee this week, urging its members to allow the importation of FDA-approved
prescription drugs. Specifically, the letter recommended that the committee
include a provision in the current Agriculture Appropriations bill that would
allow Americans to obtain FDA-approved drugs from a variety of sources, creating
greater price competition. Paul said the provision is similar to language in his
"Pharmaceutical Freedom Act" (HR 3636), legislation he introduced to make
prescription drugs more affordable for millions of American seniors.
"Many seniors struggle to afford the prescription drugs they need in order
to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle," Paul stated. "Yet federal
regulations eliminate cost-effective ways to obtain medications. Anyone wishing
to import an FDA-approved prescription drug should be permitted to do so. This
approach provides Americans with more affordable options to care for themselves
and their loved ones."
The letter was written by a bipartisan coalition of House members. It
underscored the immediate need for relief from skyrocketing prescription drug
bills, especially among seniors living on a fixed income. Paul noted that while
Congress needs to remove barriers to importation of approved drugs, it also must
stop over-regulating Internet pharmacies that provide needed price competition.
"The Internet makes pharmaceuticals and other products more affordable and
accessible," said Paul. "However, the federal government has threatened to
eliminate this option by imposing unnecessary and unconstitutional regulations
on web sites which sell pharmaceuticals. Any federal regulations will inevitably
drive up drug prices, thus depriving many consumers of access to affordable
prescription medications."
"I want to thank my colleagues for joining me and supporting America's
seniors by leading the effort to find a real solution to the rising costs of
prescription drugs," Paul concluded. "I also urge them to cosponsor my
"Pharmaceutical Freedom Act," so that we may continue to help seniors afford
prescription drugs by reducing their taxes and permitting price competition
among pharmacies and drug manufacturers."