INTRODUCTION OF THE INTERNET PRESCRIPTION DRUG CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2000 -- HON. TOM BLILEY (Extensions of Remarks - October 17, 2000)

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HON. TOM BLILEY OF VIRGINIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, October 17, 2000

Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing bipartisan legislation to help protect consumers from sham sales of prescription drugs over the Internet. Oversight hearings held earlier this year in the Committee on
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Commerce exposed real problems for consumers. Unscrupulous tactics by some sellers using the Internet must be stopped. The bill is focused on one objective--to allow folks to use the Internet as a useful tool for legitimate sales of prescription drugs.

The bill will do a number of things to enhance protection. First, the bill requires interstate Internet sellers of prescription drugs to disclose important information on their web sites and to State licensing boards. This will improve the reliability of consumer transactions and make it easier for State and Federal enforcement officials to patrol for illegal sellers.

Second, the bill enhances the authority of State attorneys general to seek injunctions against interstate Internet sellers that violate disclosure requirements or certain provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Third, the bill enhances Federal authority to restrain the disposal of property that is traceable to certain provisions of the act.

Finally, the bill provides for public education about the dangers of unscrupulous Internet prescription drug sellers who fail to follow the law.

Senators JEFFORDS and KENNEDY are introducing an identical companion bill in the other body. This bipartisan legislation has the support of the National Association of Attorneys General, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the National Consumer League, and Drugstore.com.