House Votes to Allow Canada Drug Imports [View All]

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House voted Tuesday to allow Americans to buy prescription drugs from Canada and other countries at prices lower than found in the United States, but the provision's prospects are dim to become law this year.

The measure, approved as part of a $16.8 billion bill to fund the Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration for next year, would prohibit the FDA from spending money to enforce its prohibition on imports of FDA-approved drugs.

A subcommittee put it into the bill last month at the instigation of Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio. The bill itself passed the House on Tuesday by a 389-31 vote.

Supporters said it would allow Americans safe access to medications at prices often one-third lower than those in the United States because of government price controls in other countries.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040714/D83QA4T00.html