Robert Schmad
Daily Caller News Foundation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Florida’s request to import cheap prescription drugs from Canada on Friday.
Policymakers across the political spectrum have long sought to import drugs from Canada, where drug prices are lower, and Florida’s authorization makes it the first state to import drugs in bulk from America’s northern neighbor. Florida estimates that it may save as much as $150 million on drugs treating things like diabetes, hepatitis C and certain psychiatric conditions.
Republicans have long been divided on whether or not to allow the importation of drugs from Canada.
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis first submitted his state’s application to import drugs from Canada in November 2020, Politico reported. At the time, the governor attracted support from then-President Donald Trump, who proposedCanadian imports a year earlier, and Republican members of Florida’s congressional delegation.
A few years earlier in 2017, 13 Republicans joined the majority of Democrats in voting for a measure to allow the importation of Canadian drugs, The Intercept reported.
While proponents of drug importation have argued that it could lower prices, critics say it could hamper innovation and the development of new drugs, according to the Washington Examiner.
Support for drug importation among Americans is high, with 78% supporting importing Canadian drugs, according to a 2019 survey conducted by KFF Health News.
While there is significant public support for drug importation, and eight other states seeking or planning to seek FDA approval for importation, there are significant obstacles in place for importation advocates.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the drug industry’s major trade association, has sued over past importation efforts and is expected to sue again to block Florida’s recent approval, according to The New York Times. Additionally, some drug companies already have agreements with Canadian wholesalers not to export medication.
The Canadian government has also taken steps to block drug exports, citing concerns over the country’s drug supply being too small to serve both Americans and Canadians, the NYT reported.
The FDA directed the Daily Caller News Foundation to a press release when reached for comment.
Florida must submit quarterly reports to the FDA documented cost savings and any potential safety or quality issues, according to the press release. Additionally, the FDA said Florida will be responsible for implementing and monitoring the importation program.
This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
IMPORTANT NOTE TO WND READERS: America – long the freest, most prosperous, powerful, altruistic and Christian nation on earth – is on the brink of destruction. Every decent and aware American adult knows this. The evidence is everywhere.
Democrat politicians today overwhelmingly favor late-term abortion up to the very moment of birth – formerly known as “infanticide.” They encourage children too young to drive or vote to have their breasts and/or sex organs amputated in pursuit of a “gender transition” that is both delusional and impossible, and which leads to staggering rates of depression and suicide. They have not just allowed, but ENGINEERED, a full-scale foreign invasion of America across her southern border.
Their standard bearer, President Joe Biden – a senile, pathologically dishonest and epically corrupt career political hack – is destroying America’s economy, energy sector, military, law enforcement, election integrity, national security, Constitution and overall national wellbeing as rapidly as possible. At the same time, Team Biden demonizes and, increasingly, IMPRISONS critics as “violent extremists,” “domestic terrorists,” “white supremacists” and “insurrectionists.” Indeed, they’re currently engaged in an obviously corrupt multi-front legal war against Biden’s chief political rival, Donald J. Trump, in an attempt to send the 45th president of the United States to prison for the rest of his life.
None of this constitutes “politics” in any conventional or traditional American sense. Rather, it is all darkly spiritual. The greatest nation on earth is in the throes of a full-blown spiritual war between good and evil.
The big question, then, is WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE AMERICA? Fortunately, real answers and uncommon wisdom are showcased in the December issue of WND’s critically acclaimed monthly Whistleblower magazine, “CAN AMERICA BE SAVED? The world’s freest, most Christian nation is on the brink of destruction.”
In this very special issue, readers will experience the best and deepest thoughts and strategies on how to restore America to her former goodness and greatness, from some of the nation’s most respected analysts – everyone from Tucker Carlson to Dennis Prager to Victor Davis Hanson to Newt Gingrich and many more.
WHISTLEBLOWER is available in both the popular print edition and a state-of-the-art digital version, either single issues or discounted annual subscriptions.
For 25 years, WND has boldly brought you the news that really matters. If you appreciate our Christian journalists and their uniquely truthful reporting and analysis, please help us by becoming a WND Insider!
SUPPORT TRUTHFUL JOURNALISM. MAKE A DONATION TO THE NONPROFIT WND NEWS CENTER. THANK YOU!
