[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H7937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          EQUITY AND RELIEF NEEDED IN PRESCRIPTION PRICE MAZE

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to read a letter, Mr. 
Speaker, from one of my constituents. It says, ``Thank you for being a 
supporter in the right to correct the disparity in prescription 
medication as it pertains to seniors in this country. Below is a chart 
showing medicines my wife and I take on a daily basis.''
  They show that Mr. And Mrs. Olsen combined spend $5,556 a year on 
their medication. Mrs. Olsen takes seven; Mr. Olsen takes three every 
single day.
  It says, ``How long can a person on a fixed income carry this 
financial burden? We do not expect these medicines to be given to us 
free; we expect to pay our fair share. We certainly know that they help 
us have an extended and quality life. Please help us find some equity 
and relief in this whole prescription price maze. May we hear from you 
soon, thank you.''
  Well, we could do something soon. I look at Zoloft, a prescription 
Mr. Olsen takes and he pays $763 a year for that. He could go to Canada 
and get that for 68 percent less. He could go to Canada and get it less 
for the exact same drug, same package, same everything.
  Mr. Speaker, we can reimport drugs and lower the cost.

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