U.S. drugs too costly, consumer groups tell panel

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U.S. drugs too costly, consumer groups tell panel

Last Updated: 2004-03-22 10:06:21 -0400 (Reuters Health)

By Heavey

ROCKVILLE, land (Reuters) - Demand for cheaper prescription drugs

from Canada will continue as long as U.S. medicines remain so expensive,

consumer advocates told a federal task force examining whether safe

imports are possible.

Cheaper prices would continue to be a powerful lure even if importation

remains illegal, the panel was told.

" The fact that busloads of Americans are crossing the border buying

medications or going online to buy their medication is a clear sign that

the public finds the price of prescription drugs is too high in the

United States, " said Alison Rein from the National Consumers League.

Some of the consumer groups were also skeptical that Canadian drugs are

less safe than those bought in the United States where counterfeiting,

package-tampering and other problems also occur.

Wyckoff, head of the Minnesota Senior Federation, said his group

has organized a number of bus trips to Canada and has been able to save

members an average of 49 percent. None of his members has complained

about their imported prescriptions, he said.

It was the first of six hearings by the 13-member U.S. task force that

includes officials from the Food and Drug Administration, the Drug

Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal

agencies.

RISKY BUSINESS?

Many U.S. patients have imported medicines via Internet pharmacies or

trips across the border to Canada. And some state and local governments

have set up programs to help residents purchase medicines abroad where

governments negotiate with drug companies to set lower prices.

The U.S. government maintains that buying medicines from other countries

is risky because U.S. regulators cannot assure the medicines are safe

and effective.

Some supporters of importation accuse regulators of simply trying to

protect drugmakers' profits, a charge government officials deny.

The pharmaceutical industry has argued that higher U.S. prices are

needed to offset price controls in other countries and pay for the

growing costs of developing new drugs. Creating one new treatment now

costs about $800 million, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and

Manufacturers of America.

At Friday's hearing, reserved for consumer groups, some advocates were

also skeptical of importation as a lasting solution.

" That is only a Band-Aid solution to the problem because the ultimate

problem is drug pricing, " Lurie, deputy director of Public

Citizen's Health Research Group.

Consumer groups urged the task force to look beyond Canada and study the

European Union, which allows member countries to buy drugs from each

other. They also suggested officials certify the best online pharmacies

and link to them on federal Web sites.

In the meantime, regulators could take steps to educate consumers about

generic drugs, prescription discount cards and other ways to save money,

they said.

The task force, initiated as part of the Medicare bill that passed in

December 2003, must present its report by the end of this year.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org