111th Congress, Vote 377; Senate #3590

Authorizing Importation of Prescription Drugs

Official Title: An act entitled The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

S Amdt 2793: Authorizing Importation of Prescription Drugs
Senate rejected the amendment Dec. 15, 2009, 51-48

This bill would have allowed the import of prescription pharmaceuticals from registered exporters in Canada and other countries, allowing for less expensive drugs for American consumers. Though initially supported by many Democrats and some Republicans, the bill lost the support of President Obama as he sought the support of the pharmaceutical industry for health care reform.

Why supporters pushed for this bill

• The nonpartisan Congressional Budget office estimated that this plan would save the federal government $19 billion over the next decade.

Why opponents tried to stop the bill

• The FDA has indicated that it has no way of overseeing the safety of the drugs imported from abroad.
• Both the Administration and Congressional liberals feared that the pharmaceutical industry would turn on reform legislation if this bill passed. It was more important, they reasoned, to ensure passage of a bill that would help millions of Americans who have no access to healthcare insurance.

12/15/2009

Status: Senate amendment rejected

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